Newz Forum: OLYMPICS: Drechsler to skip Olympics

Karlsruhe, Germany (Sports Network) - Heike Drechsler, a two-time Olympic long champion, will miss the Athens Olympics because she is unhappy with recent performances.

The 39-year old Drechsler, who won world titles back in 1983 and 1993, will still compete in the German nationals that will take place this weekend.

However, she decided not to try to clear the national team's Olympic qualifying standard of 21 feet, 11 3/4 inches. According to Drechsler, her recent results do not meet the necessary level to compete at the highest level.

Drechsler's career-best long jump mark is 24-6 1/2, while her top jump this season is 20-11 3/4. Bothered by injuries since capturing the gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Drechsler plans to compete at several meets after the Athens games.