Czech world-record holding decathlete not to compete in the European championship

Roman Šebrle, who holds the word-record in the decathlon, will not compete in the 2010 European Athletics Championships to be held in Barcelona later this month. Due to injuries which have been plaguing him throughout the season, the decathlete has decided against asking the Czech Athletic Federation for a wild card. However, he will still be attending the championships, since he is preparing to apply for membership in the athlete’s commission of the European Athletic Association. Šebrle, who is 35, said he does not intend to retire in the near future.