MELBOURNE, Australia Former olympic champion Linford Christie pulled out of Australia's Stawell Gift with a hamstring injury Monday. The British sprinter was due to run in the semi-finals of the Easter sprint handicap but suffered a back-related hamstring injury after his two races Sunday. Christie felt his back seize, was restricted in his movement and decided, on medical advice, not to run in the semis.

He felt pain after the heat but decided to run in the repechage with painkillers to avoid disappointing his fans. He finished second in the repechage to gain entry to the semis but further inflamed the injury. His physiotherapist Karen Stephens said Christie felt pins and needle s in his right leg, indicating irritation of a nerve. "I advised him to obtain further treatment including traction and that act scan may be advised to prevent worsening of his symptoms," Stephens said.

"It would be best that treatment starts as soon as possible," she said. Christie said it was a great disappointment to be forced out through injury as he had thoroughly enjoyed his time at the Stawell gift, held in rural Victoria state. "No athlete likes to be injured and I am extremely disappointed that, because of the extent of this injury I've had to take the advice of the physio and commence further treatment immediately," Christie said.

"I hope to return to Stawell in future years to finish what I started this year," he said. Local sprinter and favourite Rod Mathews, starting off with a 9.5 metre handicap, clocked 11.91 seconds to win the 31,000 dollar (19,500 U.S.) first prize in the 120-metre race. The 31-year-old won by two metres from Ross Smith and Peter O'Dwyer. (AFP)