Mawdsley forced to withdraw from European Championships

Sharlene Mawdsley has been forced to withdraw from next week’s European Athletics Championships in Birmingham due to injury.

The Newport sprinter made the difficult decision over the weekend following consultation with her support team as the leg injury sustained at the National Championships last month had not recovered in time.

Speaking about the decision, Sharlene said: “I’m so sad to say that I won’t be making the start line at the European Championships next week.

“We made huge progress after I was diagnosed with a tear in my hamstring, but unfortunately the timing just wasn’t on my side.

“I can’t thank my team enough. They have worked around the clock to give me every possible chance, and we really pushed the limits together. To Martina McCarthy, Paul Carragher and Athletics Ireland, thank you for all your support, and to Michael Breen for being my training partner these last two weeks.”

“We’ll keep working hard, and I’m looking forward to getting back on the track later this season.

“Down, not out.”