Kluft won't defend heptathlon title

Athletics : Carolina Kluft will not defend her Olympic heptathlon title in Beijing this summer but instead plans to compete in the long jump and triple jump.

The brilliant Swede has intimated for several months that she lacked the motivation to carry on her multi-event career and was looking at other options.

"Carolina hasn't said she has quit the heptathlon for good and may return at some time in the future," said Swedish Athletics Federation spokesman, Fredrik Trahn.

"She has no competitions lined up in the foreseeable future. Now she will concentrate on the long jump and triple jumps."

Trahn added: "She has lost 100 per cent focus and spirit for the event, but I am sure she will return to it when getting her motivation back."

The 25-year-old, who got married prior to Christmas in Scotland, has lifted every major multi-events title since winning the World Championship gold medal in 2003.

She missed the recent World Indoor Championships in Valencia with a hamstring injury and was expected to kickstart her summer season in Gotzis at the end of May.