England's Taylor pulls out of Games

MELBOURNE, Mar 20 (Reuters) England's Olympic silver medallist Leon Taylor pulled out of the Commonwealth Games diving competition today due to injury.

Taylor lost his race to be fit in time for this week's Melbourne competition following three shoulder operations.

''It's been absolute hell to get back to fitness and to come so close,'' Taylor told reporters. ''To come all the way here...but not to be able to get to the start line is gutting.'' Taylor won the silver medal in the 10 metres synchronised platform with Peter Waterfield at the 2004 Athens Games.

Waterfield will still be competing in the individual competition.

He won the 10m platform gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

REUTERS PM PM1244