BUDAPEST 2010: Injury forces Daley to withdraw - YOG participation in doubt

By David Jordan, Sportsbeat, in Budapest

WORLD champion Tom Daley has withdrawn from the 10m synchro platform final at the European Championships with a triceps tear - and is a doubt for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

INJURY HITS: Tom Daley, along with Max Brick, competed in qualifying at the European Championships with heavy strapping to his tricep but has since pulled out of the final (Reuters)

The 16-year-old had been expected to compete in Saturday's final along with Max Brick, as well as defending his individual European title on Sunday.

Daley was then due to head to Singapore as Great Britain's highest profile squad member at the first-ever Youth Olympic Games.

And in a jam-packed schedule, Daley was also eyeing competing at the World Junior Championships following hot on the heels of the Youth Olympics, as well as at October's Commonwealth Games.

"At the beginning of the week I had a bit of a tricep problem but I recovered from that. However, then I missed my hands on one of the dives and my arm just went completely round behind my head and straight away I felt pain," he said.

"Hopefully with a bit more physio, and a scan next week, that should sort it out.

"There’s no chance that I will be diving tomorrow. I was going in there with three new dives and I really wanted to showcase them."

However, Daley insisted he would still travel to Singapore and will allow medics there to make a decision on his involvement.

"The British Olympic Association will be able to offer me their physio and medical support, so hopefully I will be ready and fit to dive next weekend," he added.

 The nation's leading energy supplier British Gas is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, and have pledged £15m to support the sport at all levels - from paddling pool to podium. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming