Jonathon Power Withdraws From Commonwealth Games

Canada's world number one Jonathon Power has announced that he will not compete in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, in March.

A hectic schedule has handcuffed the 31-year-old, forcing him to make a decision. Power played for Canada at the last two Commonwealth Games, winning the gold in 2002 and silver in 1998.

'It was a very awkward decision for me but the way things were shaping up I couldn't do everything and something had to give,'' said Power. ''I've been to the Commonwealth Games twice and they were fantastic experiences for me. Winning there in 2002 was one of the highlights in my career. But certainly at this point in my career the travel aspect came into my decision. Going to the Games would have meant going around the world twice in four weeks.''

Power ended the 2005 season with a punishing schedule which included four major events, including the World Open and World Team Championships, at which he led Canada to a solid fourth place finish.

The most successful North American squash player in history, Power won five tournaments last year and climbed back to the number one spot in the world rankings for the first time in four years. It's the longest gap between successive number one rankings since the rankings were established in the early eighties. He is also the oldest player to be ranked number one.

Last week he lost in the final at the PACE Canadian Classic in Toronto. It marked his 60th appearance in a professional final. He won the world title in 1998.

Linda MacPhail, executive director of Squash Canada, says the squash competition at the Games is almost equivalent to a world championship, featuring most of the top players from Commonwealth nations such as Canada, England and Australia.

''The Commonwealth Games is the biggest exposure squash will get in Canada and internationally. Certainly we were hoping to see Jonathon competing and also getting some of the media spotlight he deserves,'' said MacPhail.

''We respect his decision. Jonathon has been a great ambassador for Canada and the sport for more than a dozen years. We're still confident with our team for the Games. Canada showed at the recent men's team worlds that we have a lot of depth and can compete for medals against the very best.''

Power's spot on the team will be taken by Shawn Delierre, from Montreal. The other Canadian men team members are Graham Ryding and Shahier Razik, both of Toronto, and Matthew Giuffre of Edmonton. The women's team member is Runa Reta of Ottawa.