OSAKA, Japan, April 25, 2007 (AFP) - Sydney Olympic sprint gold medallist Maurice Greene has pulled out of the next week’s Japan Grand Prix after failing to recover from a dental operation, organisers said Wednesday.
It would have been the former world record holder’s second competitive appearance this year after announcing his plan to go for the gold medal at next year’s Beijing Olympics.
He is hoping to compete in the world championships here in August.
At the Millrose Games indoor meet in February, the three-time world champion collapsed in the 60 metres, stumbling after a blistering start.
The 32-year-old, also a three-time Osaka winner in 2000, 2001 and 2004, ran only one race last season as a hairline fracture in his foot at the Kansas Relays in April forced him out for the remainder of the year.