Ireland’s Thomas Barr has been forced to withdraw from the semi-finals of the 400m hurdles at the World Championships in London due to gastroenteritis.

The 25-year-old was due to compete in the first of tonight’s semi-finals but is now out because of the vomiting bug.

Barr, who finished fourth at last summer’s Olympic in Rio, said: “I’m gutted to have to withdraw from today’s semi final.

“I wasn’t feeling great yesterday evening and later in the night I was hit with a bad bout of gastroenteritis.”

“My whole year has been focused on the World Championships. The support yesterday was just brilliant and to not be able to go out and compete today for Ireland is beyond disappointing.”