Drechsler Won’t Defend Title

Olympic long jump champion Heike Drechsler of Germany withdrew from the Atlanta Games because of a knee injury, her manager said Monday.

Drechsler, gold medalist at the 1992 Olympics, tore a knee ligament May 16. The injury healed, but the adjacent muscle isn’t at full strength.

German Olympic team officials weren’t surprised by news of Drechsler’s withdrawal.

“It’s too bad, but we didn’t expect otherwise. Her decision is certainly wise because she has to think about her future,” said Frank Hensel, sports director of the German athletics federation.