Sanya Richards-Ross could be out for season with injuries

EUGENE, Oregon (Reuters) - Women's 400 meters world champion Sanya Richards-Ross could miss the rest of the season because of injuries, her coach said on Wednesday.

Already suffering from a continuing hamstring problem that led to her withdrawal from the U.S. national championships' 400 meters final, Richards-Ross turned an ankle and hurt her back while moving about in the stands at the meeting, according to her coach Clyde Hart.

"Her injuries are such she is going to have to re-evaluate what she does the remainder of the year," Hart told Reuters by telephone from Waco, Texas. "Her season could be in jeopardy.

"She stepped on a bleacher and her feet went out from under her," Hart added.

Tests are being performed to determine the extent of her injuries and the American will likely make a decision on her season in a couple of days, according to Hart.

Richards-Ross already pulled out of Saturday's Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting in Eugene, according to the event's organizer Tom Jordan.

Polish women's hammer throw world record holder Anita Wlodarczyk also has pulled out of this week's meeting because of a disk problem that may sideline her until the July European championships, Jordan said.

WARINER FINE

The news was brighter for former world and Olympic men's 400 meters gold medalist Jeremy Wariner, whose event is not being contested at the Eugene meeting.

Wariner responded to treatment for a leg injury and plans to resume his season at the July 8 Lausanne Diamond League meeting, said Hart, who coaches both U.S. athletes.

Wariner also was injured at last week's event after falling in the 400 meters final.

"He said he felt a sharp pain (in his thigh) and when he tried to adjust his stride, he stumbled," Hart said. "If he had not stumbled, he probably would have finished the race."

Most of the discomfort is gone, Hart said, "but when he gets tired it bothers him.

"He had a good run today. I think he will be fine by next weekend."

(Editing by Frank Pingue)