Distraught Lewis-Francis ruled out of the Olympics after suffering an achilles injury

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Lewis-Francis picked up an achilles injury during warm weather training in Cyprus and will require surgery.

The former world junior 100 metres champion, who anchored the British 4x100m relay team to the gold medal at the last Olympics in Athens, is said to be distraught at missing the Games.

Scroll down for more

Feeling the pain: Lewis-Francis will miss out on Beijing

His training is understood to have gone well during his stay abroad and his enthusiasm for the sport has been rekindled after a couple of very lean years when he has not realised his potential.

It is not the first occasion the Midlander has been troubled by achilles problems and, on this occasion, expert medical advice has been taken to have the problem sorted out for good.

Fellow sprinters Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell, the rival contenders for the tarnished crown of world's fastest man, are heading for a showdown in London three weeks before they compete for the Olympic 100 metres gold medal in Beijing.

Paul Doyle, manager of world record holder Powell, confirmed he was in talks about a race between them during the two-day Norwich Union London Grand Prix on July 25-26, the last lucrative Grand Prix meeting before national teams go into their traditional lock-down before the Olympics.

"Nothing is finalised yet, but it is a definite possibility," said Doyle after Powell pulled out of a Jamaican team at the Mount Sac Relays in California last Sunday, avoiding a final anchor leg against Gay.

The two avoided each other last summer until the final of the World Championships in Osaka, when Powell led for 70 metres but choked when Gay drew level.

"I think maybe London is a possibility. It could go down there," said Gay, world 100 and 200m champion in Osaka. "I'd love it to happen. A meeting between us is great for the fans."

Meanwhile, Christine Ohuruogu opened her Olympic season by winning the 100m and 200m in Long Beach on Saturday before finishing fifth in a classy all-American 200m field in Mount Sac the next day.

Christian Malcom also showed promise, winning the 100m at Long Beach.