Triple jumper Tamgho ruled out of world championships

French triple jumper Teddy Tamgho has pulled out of the athletics world championships with an ankle injury, the French federation said on Tuesday.

Tamgho, the world indoor champion, needs surgery and will not compete again this season.

The 22-year-old tried to sound upbeat despite the disappointment.

"Let us not forget that we are one year from the Olympic Games, there is still time," he said in a statement.

"Every day in our sport we risk injury. When you go to training there is a 50 percent chance of injury. If it had happened on July 18, 2012, I would cry, but right now I have time."

The world championships will be held in Daegu, South Korea, from Aug. 27 to Sep. 4.

"I am really sad and affected by Teddy's injury," French technical director Ghani Yalouz said in a statement.

"I think of him at this difficult time. Unfortunately, in a demanding and difficult sport such as athletics, these injuries can happen even in training."

Tamgho holds the world indoor record of 17.92, set in March at the European championships at home in Paris, and was one of France's bests hopes for a medal next month.

His injury had seemed minor when he initially suffered the problem and the announcement was a shock.

His outdoor jump of 17.98 in New York last year was the best jump of 2010, still well below Briton Jonathan Edwards' world outdoor record of 18.29.