Harmse does a Liddell due to Sunday final

Johannesburg: Hammer thrower Chris Harmse has withdrawn from the South African Olympic squad because he refuses to compete on Sundays.

The 27-year-old, a devout Christian, set a Commonwealth record of 77.92 metres in Cape Town in March but was unlikely to have been a medal contender.The Sydney Games hammer final falls on Sunday, September 24.

Several athletes have refused to compete on Sundays because of their religious beliefs, among them Britain's triple jump world record holder Jonathan Edwards until he had a change of heart.

Perhaps the most famous case saw Scotsman Eric Liddell withdraw from the 100 metres at the 1924 Paris Games. He, however, switched to the 400 metres and won gold.

(c) Reuters Limited.