Shanghai, May 15 (IANS): Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Aries Merritt of the US has withdrawn from the men's 110m hurdles event at Sunday's Diamond League Shanghai meet, the organisers confirmed Thursday.
Despite Merritt's withdrawal, the 110m hurdles event in Shanghai will witness a star-studded field including reigning world champion David Oliver of the US and Cuba's former world record holder Dayron Robles, reports Xinhua.
"US 110m hurdles athlete Aries Merritt can not compete at the 2014 IAAF Diamond League Shanghai meeting due to health issues. Trinidad and Tobago hurdler Thomas will replace him," the organisers said in a release.
The 28-year-old Merritt claimed the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games in 12.92 seconds before setting the new world record of 12.80 sec in the 2012 Diamond League meet in Brussels.