Thomas Barr withdraws from competing in World Championship due to illness

Thomas Barr has pulled out of competing in the World Championships in London after being struck down by gastroenteritis, writes Ciara Phelan.

He was due to run in tonight's 400 metres hurdles semi-final at the London Stadium after narrowly getting through yesterday.

The disappointed Ferrybank man told RTÉ sport his whole year had been focused on the World Championships.

"I'm gutted to have to withdraw from today's semi final. I wasn't feeling great yesterday evening and later in the night I was hit with a bad bout of gastroenteritis," he said.

"My whole year has been focused on the World Championships.

"The support yesterday was just brilliant and to not be able to go out and compete today for Ireland is beyond disappointing."