Olympic Champion pulls out of Heptathlon

(BEIJING, August 1) -- Reigning Olympic Women's Heptathlon champion Carolina Kluft will not be defending her title in Beijing.

The Swedish athlete has decided that she will not compete in the Heptathlon, instead choosing to focus her energies on the Long Jump and Triple Jump events.

In an interview with a Swedish newspaper earlier this year, the 25-year-old explained her decision, citing a lack of motivation and fitness concerns.

"I understand that a lot of people will not understand the decision and will contest it but the motivation is not sufficiently there for the heptathlon," she said.

"The decision was tough and yet at the same time a simple one. I had been thinking about it for some time. I had a chat with myself and followed what my heart said."

Her father, Johnny Kluft, is supporting her decision, stating that she has more energy and motivation now that she has reduced her training load.

"It is an unbelievable challenge for her and she is aiming to do her best. Before, she had won everything and she was starting to get bored."

Although she will not be participating in the Heptathlon, she will still be aiming for two gold medals in the Long Jump and Triple Jump.

Kluft is currently ranked eighth in the world in Long Jump, but her chances in the Triple Jump are difficult to ascertain, having finished fourth at the European Cup in July.

Kluft won her first major title at the World Youth Championships in Chile at age 17, just 5 years after taking up the sport.

The Swede was crowned World Heptathlon Champion in 2003, 2005, and 2007; European Champion in 2002 and 2006; and Olympic Champion in 2004.