Russia's Tomashova to miss worlds with foot injury

MOSCOW, Aug 17 (Reuters) Twice world 1,500 metres champion Tatyana Tomashova will miss this month's world championships in Osaka, Japan, after sustaining a foot injury in training.

''She injured her right foot during our last training camp in Kislovodsk and will be unable to compete in Osaka,'' Russian athletics head Valentin Balakhnichyov told reporters today.

Tomashova, 32, has dominated the women's 1,500 in recent years after winning back-to-back world titles in Paris in 2003 and in Helsinki two years later. She also finished second at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Despite her absence, Russia still has a strong lineup at this distance, with indoor world champion Yuliya Chizhenko and indoor world record holder Yelena Soboleva leading the team in Osaka.

The championships take place from Aug. 25 to Sept. 2.

REUTERS BJR VV1718