By Ziad Chaudry MARILYN Okoro has promised to return to the track better and stronger next year as she casts her eye towards the 2012 London Olympics. An ongoing knee injury and recently developed back problem forced the 25-year-old 800m specialist from N

By Ziad Chaudry

MARILYN Okoro has promised to return to the track better and stronger next year as she casts her eye towards the 2012 London Olympics.

An ongoing knee injury and recently developed back problem forced the 25-year-old 800m specialist from Neasden to end her season and withdraw from next month's Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Okoro's last race proved to be a happy occasion when she helped her GB team to an excellent bronze medal in the women's 4x400m relay at last month's European Championships in Barcelona.

Her only victory this year came in the semi-final heat of the European trials and UK Championships back in June.

"My body just isn't as ready as my mind for Delhi," admitted Okoro. "But I wish the team the best of luck.

"They're a great team, with lots of experience mixed with fresh young talent.

"I am hugely disappointed not to compete at the Commonwealth Games. My decision was not an easy one to make but I have to remain focused on my 2012 dream."

However, two other local athletes are bound for India - Thames Valley Harriers heptathlete Phyllis Agbo and Harlesden's Abi Oyepitan, who will be running in the women's 200m and 100m relay events.

Westbourne Park-based Agbo will be using the DecaStar IAAF event in Talence, near Bordeaux, as her final preparations before heading to the Indian sub-continent.

Surprisingly, Agbo's TVH team-mate, 100m hurdler Angelita Broadbelt-Blake - who was a runner-up at this year's UK championships - has been left out.

Despite the disappointing news, Broadbelt-Blake claimed her seventh victory of the season on Saturday, clocking 13.41 at the International Antwerp Athletics Gala in Belgium.