The Electronic Telegraph Friday 22 June 2001 Tom Knight BRITAIN'S chances of retaining the European Cup were hit by more injury problems last night when the captain, Darren Campbell was one of seven athletes who failed to make the trip to Germany. Campbell, the Olympic silver medallist over 200 metres, was supposed to have been part of the sprint relay squad, but a long-term hamstring injury has refused to heal. He has been replaced as captain of the men's team by the discus thrower, Bob Weir. More worrying for Campbell is the proximity of the trials for this summer's world championships. The sprinter started the season impressively with wins in the United States but has not raced since he ran a relay leg for Belgrave Harriers at last month's European Clubs competition. The withdrawal of the world indoor champion, Daniel Caines gives Iwan Thomas the chance to prove himself at 400m after two years spent struggling with injuries. Among the other withdrawals were Jason Gardener, who is replaced in the sprint relay squad by Daniel Money and Nathan Morgan, whose absence means a debut in the long jump for 20-year-old Chris Tomlinson. Rob Mitchell takes over from Dalton Grant in the high jump. The men's team, who won last year's contest in Gateshead by just half a point from Germany, were already missing Dwain Chambers from the 100m. The only consolation for Max Jones, Britain's performance director, is that last year's victory came despite even more with drawals. Jones said: "It's not as bad as last year but it's a fair number. If these were the world championships a lot of them would compete. They are not prepared to risk it, three or four weeks before the trials. "They have niggles, and niggles can become major problems if you take risks." Eamonn Condon www.RunnersGoal.com
