Olympic Sports: Hansen return delayed

Commonwealth and European triple jump champion Ashia Hansen will not return to competition until 2006 after a setback in her recovery from a serious knee injury sustained last summer.

Hansen's rehabilitation from the injury picked up while competing for Great Britain in the European Cup in Poland has suffered complications, dashing hopes of a possible return to action this summer. Her coach Aston Moore revealed Hansen's recovery had been delayed by about two months after the wound from the injury failed to heal.

He added that while the Birchfield Harrier may be able to return sooner to sprinting and long jumping, there is no short-term prospect of her being involved again in her specialist event.

Moore told The Times: "We are still not looking at any sooner than 2006, certainly not as a triple jumper.

"In the meantime, the aim is for her to get fit as an athlete.

Sportinglife