Sanya Richards - Norman grindley

The world's fastest female over 400m, Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards, has pulled out of Saturday's Jamaica International Invitational set for the National Stadium.

According to RunnersWeb, Richards has delayed the start of her 2007 season in order to fully recover from a virus.

Richards, who went undefeated in the 400 metres in 2006, had previously withdrawn from the Michael Johnson Invitational and the Penn Relays as she battled illness this spring.

She is on the mend and plans to return to competition as soon as she is fit, according to her mother and agent, Sharon Richards.

"Sanya has been ailing on and off the past few weeks," RunnersWeb quoted Sharon as saying.

"She's feeling better but is not yet in competition shape due to missing training during the last three weeks."

As to when Richards will compete, her agent could not say.

"We'd rather play it safe than push it, with all that is at stake this season. She is eager to get back on the track and we hope to return to competition as soon as possible, so she can prepare for the World Championships," she said.

Richards was the favourite to win the World Championships in 2005, but Bahamian Tonique Williams-Darling, the Olympic champion, came through despite a low season.

Now with the 2007 World Championships fast approaching, Richards is dying to get back on the track to get in the necessary preparation.

"I can't wait to start competing again," said Sanya. "I'm hungrier than ever to win my first world title and to continue to lower the American record."

Richards broke the American 24-year-old record of 48.83 seconds held by Valerie Brisco-Hooks when she closed the 2006 season with an impressive 48.70.