By KELSIE JOHNSON, Sports Reporter

kelsie@nasguard.com

Olympic and World Champion Tonique Williams-Darling has decided to sit this season out, resting up for next year's Olympic Games.

The decision made by Williams-Darling was confirmed yesterday by Dennis Darling, husband to the Bahamian national record holder in the 400 meters. Darling also confirmed that he will be taking a break, this year, from track and field.

According to Darling, Williams-Darling is nursing a hamstring injury, which she sustained two years ago and was reaggrevated last year. Both were prospects for the Pan American and World Championships team, which competes in July and August of this year.

"Tonique has a hamstring injury, and I have a groin injury," said Darling. "Tonique's hamstring injury was sustained two years ago, after Worlds and she reaggrevated it, but she still ran last year with the injury.

"For me it is my groin and I got an MRI done on my knee so I will be out for the remainder of the season." Speaking with The Nassau Guardian, Darling said that he and his wife were made aware of all the rumors which surfaced about Williams-Darling, who was scheduled to open three weeks into the outdoor season.

After missing out on the meet, it was said that Williams-Darling would have used either the Penn Relays or the Adidas Track meet as her opener, but once again Williams-Darling did not compete.

The delayed opening left track and field enthusiasts wondering just when the quarter miler would have opened.

"We wanted to come home for the Nationals, (held last week) but I had a doctor's appointment which I got an MRI done on the knee," Darling added.

"We've heard all of the rumors and none of them are true, she isn't pregnant. But we do wish the team well, we know that it is a strong team and they will do will a great job."

Another Bahamian sitting out the year due to injuries, is national record holder in the 200m Dominic Demeritte.

Demeritte was present at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Association National Track and Field championships, which was held last week at the Thomas A Robinson stadium.