Sprinter Lewis-Francis out of Europeans

Teenage British sprinter Mark Lewis-Francis announced today he had pulled out of next week's European Championships after injuring…

Teenage British sprinter Mark Lewis-Francis announced today he had pulled out of next week's European Championships after injuring his hamstring in the Commonwealth 100 metres final.

The 19-year-old, the only teenager ever to break 10 seconds, sustained a "micro tear" in his hamstring in the showpiece sprint final at the City of Manchester Stadium last Saturday.

He and fellow fellow Englishman Dwain Chambers, who also injured himself, finished out of the medals in a race won by Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis.

It remains to be seen whether Chambers, who along with Lewis-Francis was a favourite for the European 100m title, will be fit enough to keep his place in the British team for the Championships, which begin in Munich next Tuesday.