American sprinter Jon Drummond, who held up competition for almost an hour on Sunday after he was disqualified in the 100 metres second round, has withdrawn from the world championships.
Former Anerican champion Drummond, 34, refused to leave the track when he false-started.
"During Sunday's 100 metres quarter-finals I felt very strongly that I was disqualified from the race unfairly and I protested my disqualification," Drummond said in a statement. "I honestly believe I did not false start. It was never my intention to harm the sport in any way or to inconvenience my fellow competitors or the fans.
"Today I announce that I am withdrawing from the world championships and the remainder of the 2003 track season.
"My spirit is broken because it has always been my desire to provide entertainment for the fans."
Drummond, was a member of the 4x100 metres relay squad who start their title defence on Saturday. On Sunday competition was suspended for nearly an hour while Drummond alternately lay on the track, beat his chest and burst into tears.
The heat finally got underway when the American was persuaded to leave the track. On Monday the International Association of Athletics Federations gave the US federation until 8 pm on Tuesday to confirm it would take action against Drummond for bringing the sport into disrepute.
The US federation have yet to confirm what, if any disciplinary action, they plan to take against the 34-year-old.