Sport can be cruel

After putting in the hard work, and preparing to compete, three top athletes were forced to pull out of major events this week.

Former world cycling champion Chris Newton was putting the final touches on his preparations for the World Track Cycling Championships when a thoughtless car driver flung open his door, knocking Newton to the ground and breaking his collarbone.

Of course, the headlines this week have been about Paula Radcliffe and her toe. A pain that isn't responding to treatment has seen her pull out of the London Marathon.

But perhaps these two athletes are lucky compared to Yasuko Hashimoto, who has been forced to abandon running in the Nagoya marathon - ending the defending champion's chances of making the Japanese team for Beijing.

I guess the lows do serve one purpose - they make the highs feel so much better...