Paula Radcliffe will miss the Commonwealth Games which begin in Melbourne next week after picking up a foot injury at her training base in the United States.
Radcliffe, favourite to win the 10,000 metres gold medal, has been training at Albuquerque in New Mexico.
The world marathon champion, who has also been preparing for April's Flora London Marathon at the high altitude venue, developed a bruised foot in January after stepping on a rock.
Radcliffe was able to comfortably carry on with her marathon build-up but she experienced trouble every time she attempted a track session, disrupting her preparations for Melbourne.
The deeply disappointed 32-year-old Bedford star reluctantly took the decision that it would be an unnecessary risk to attempt to chase the 10,000m title and add it to the 5,000m crown she won in Manchester in 2002.
Gary Lough, her manager and husband, said the world marathon recordholder will still be well prepared to defend her London Marathon title on April 23.
It is the second big-name withdrawal from the Games after Australian swimming hero Ian Thorpe pulled out after failing to recover from illness.
The multiple Olympic champion has been suffering from bronchitis and a viral infection, and has been unable to train fully.
"I would have been so far off my best it was not worth it," he said.
