DELHI 2010: Mo Farah withdraws from Commonwealth Games

DOUBLE European champion Mo Farah has withdrawn from next month's Commonwealth Games in Delhi because of fatigue.

SITTING OUT: Mo Farah claims he is in need of a rest and as a result will miss next month's Commonwealth Games in Delhi (Reuters)

The 27-year-old struck gold for Great Britain in the 5000m and 10,000m at the European Championships in Barcelona earlier this summer.

He then went on to break Dave Moorcroft's 28-year-old British 5000m record and was due to represent England in both events at next month's Commonwealth Games in India but claims he is in need of a rest.

"My body is telling me it is time to take a break," Farah told the BBC.

"I had a great 2010 season and my body is telling me that it is time to take a break from training and racing.

"I have been competing since the start of the year at cross-country, road and track and feel that I need a few weeks off now to let my body recover so that I can start winter training fit and healthy.

"Over the past few weeks I have been getting a few niggles, nothing serious but enough to tell me to ease back.

"I was looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi but after the success I had this year I am happy to call it a season.

"I look forward to the 2011 World Championships in Daegu and the 2012 Olympic Games in my home city of London.

"I came close to getting a medal in the past two World Championships and hope that I can continue to improve over the next few years."

Farah joins a stellar cast of British athletes who will watch the Commonwealth Games from home with a variety of reasons, including injury, pregnancy and the timing of the competition to blame.

Paula Radcliffe, Jessica Ennis, Jenny Meadows, Natasha Danvers, Martyn Rooney, Michael Rimmer, Jemma Simpson and Perri Shakes-Drayton are all already absentees from England's depleted ranks.