JO PAVEY has announced she will miss the World Championships in Beijing in August in order to focus on qualifying for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
The 41-year-old, dubbed 'Supermum' following her 10,000 metres gold medal at the European Championships last summer, less than a year after giving birth to her second child, said she did not want to do anything to jeopardise her fitness one year out from the Games.
The Devon athlete also revealed she was keen to remain at home over the summer for the sake of her children, son Jacob and daughter Emily.
"I have come to the decision that I will sit out the championships this year to focus all my efforts on the Rio Olympic Games," stated Pavey, who also won Commonwealth bronze over 5,000m in 2014.
"A large chunk of last summer was taken up with the Commonwealth Games and European Championships. If I were to compete in both Beijing and Rio, it would mean three summers in a row with lengthy periods focused on championship running. I feel this is not a good balance for my kids and, so, I am going to stay at home in 2015.
"Also, I am aware that conditions in Beijing might be hot, humid and potentially have high pollution levels."
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