Jamaicans Veronica Campbell (C) Aleen Bailey and Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas, celebrates after the women's 200 metres finals in the 2004 Athens Olympics Games. (Kurt Morris/Western Images/Sportingkings)

Ferguson out of Commonwealth Games
Monday February 13, 2006

MELBOURNE, Australia - Bahamian athlete Debbie Ferguson has announced that she will not defend her Commonwealth Games sprint double titles in Melbourne in March.

Ferguson, who made her comeback in Boston with a 7.37 clocking is yet to find her form in the current indoor season, has not covered fully from a back operation she did in 2005.

The 30-year-old, Ferguson holds a season best time of 7.30 seconds achieved at the Powered by Tyson Invitational at the weekend, and she believes it would be pointless to go to Melbourne unfit.

"It's just a combination of things," the Bahamian said when asked about her participation at the Games. "I'm not where I want to be and don't feel I can win. There's no point going if it doesn't feel right.

"It's been a combination of factors. With the Games being in early March, it's caught me off guard and as much as I would like to defend my titles, I'm just not ready."

The Bahamian experience sprinter won three gold medals at the last Games in Manchester four years ago, but feels she will benefit from sitting these championships and prepare herself for next year's World Championships.

"I'm a little bit down but sometimes you have to give something in order to receive. And if I give up the Games then maybe I will receive it back by building up my fitness during the year and getting in as good a condition as possible for next year's World Championship," she added.

Ferguson joins World and Olympic 400m champion Tonique Williams-Darling and sprint ace Chandra Sturrup as country's high-profiled athletes withdrawing from the Games.

Earlier this season, defending 100m champion in the men's division, Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis confirmed that he would not defend his title because he was in no shape to compete in Melbourne.

In the meantime, Bahamas will bank its medal hopes on Leevan Sands, Chris Brown, Christine Amertil and Laverne Eve when the Games kicks-off on March 15.

Gary Smith - World-Track Sports Media