Olympic champion Noguchi to skip Berlin marathon

TOKYO, Sep 8 (Reuters) Japan's Olympic champion Mizuki Noguchi said today she will miss this month's Berlin Marathon because of an ankle injury.

The 2004 Athens gold medallist injured her left ankle last month and confirmed upon arriving in Japan from Switzerland that she had abandoned plans to run in the Sept. 24 race.

''It's a pity I had to decide not to run,'' said Noguchi. ''It is a shock because I was feeling better than last year but if I'm not fully fit obviously I can't run.'' REUTERS AY VC1738