In a disappointing blow for Australia’s Commonwealth Games 100m hurdler Hayley Butler, Pirtek Athletic All Stars organisers have  withdrawn her from the September 15  meet  because of stress fractures in her feet.

Organisers had lined up a duel between the Australian champion and her Kiwi rival Andrea Miller to help prepare

the popular Sydney  athlete for next month’s Delhi Games.

However meet director Hayden Knowles – who is also Butler’s strength and conditioning coach – has taken the  pressure she’d placed upon herself to compete by ruling a red line through the event.

“Hayley wanted to compete, but as part of the team who helps train her we’re doing everything possible to get her to Delhi,” he said.

“She was adamant she would compete in the All Stars  – a huge group of Hayley’s supporters have bought tickets – but the decision has been taken out of her hands by those who care for her

“This is an unfortunate setback for her, but we appreciate her dream is to be on the track for Australia in Delhi and I definitely support that.

“I believe she’ll overcome the injuries in time because people who work as hard as Hayley do get rewarded.”

The event has been replaced by a mile race that will honour the great Albie Thomas who, in 1960, ran the first sub-4 minute mile in NSW.

Commonwealth Games athlete Jeremy Roff will target a sub-4 minute mile in this race to confirm his Commonwealth Games preparation is on track.

His training partner, James Nipperess, will push him in the race. ‘Nipper’s’ first coach was Albie Thomas.