Max Whitlock pulls out of European Championships due to virus
Max Whitlock has been forced to withdraw from the forthcoming European Gymnastics Championships in Bern due to a virus.
The reigning world champion and double Olympic bronze medallist has pulled out as a precautionary measure ahead of the Olympics in Rio later this year.
Whitlock tweeted: "Really gutted to withdraw from the Europeans, I have to look at the bigger picture. Massive good luck to the team".
Max Whitlock has pulled out of the European Championships due to a virus
Whitlock had looked to be heading to the Championships in top form after setting a stunning personal best of 92.7 to win the all-around title at the national championships last month.
A British Gymnastics statement said: " Max has been withdrawn as he has had a viral illness over the past week and it was felt better to give him time to fully recover with the Olympics Games in mind."
Whitlock will be replaced in the GB team for the event by Kent gymnast Courtney Tulloch.
Men's head national coach Eddie Van Hoof said: "The withdrawal of Max is unfortunate and we will look at some tactical re-shuffling of the team order but it is testament to the depth of the programme that we can call upon Courtney to step up."
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