GB's Purdue out of Games marathon with ankle injury

Charlotte Purdue set a personal best in Berlin last September

Great Britain's Charlotte Purdue has withdrawn from the women's Olympic marathon at Paris 2024 because of an ankle injury.

The 33-year-old has been replaced by Clara Evans in the event, which takes place on 11 August.

Purdue became the second-fastest British woman in the marathon, behind only Paula Radcliffe, when she ran two hours 22 minutes 17 seconds at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.

In a post on Instagram Purdue said she was "absolutely devastated".

She added: "Last weekend I rolled my ankle on my final long run and although I have tried to manage it and recover it is now clear that it is more severe than I originally first thought."

Welsh runner Evans, 30, will make her Olympic debut in Paris following her late call-up.

She will join Calli Hauger-Thackery and Rose Harvey in the women's marathon, which is the final athletics event at Paris 2024.

Phil Sesemann, Emile Cairess and Mahamed Mahamed will contest the men's race, held one day before the women's race.