Fraser withdrawn

Shelly-Ann Fraser, Beijing's Olympics 100m champion, has pulled out of this weekend's Reebok Grand Prix in New York City.

Bruce James, president of Fraser's MVP Track Club, yesterday confirmed Fraser's withdrawal.

She was scheduled to run the women's 200m.

"We're just trying to make sure she is ready before she races again," explained James, pointing to the reason for pulling out Fraser, who shocked the world with her 10.78 seconds - a lifetime best which gave her the Olympic 100m crown.

The athlete's coach, Stephen Francis, said Fraser is recovering well from surgery.

Fraser did an operation in early April and Francis said this has been a "setback".

Big setback

"The appendix (operation) was a big setback because she was looking very good (in prior meets)," said Francis. "She was even running ... some good 400 metres."

Fraser has competed in three events this season, 100m (11.15 seconds) at Jamaica Invitational and 200m (23.44) at UTech Invitational, along with a 4x100m run at Penn Relays.

- Anthony Foster