Triple Jump world champion Phillips Idowu of Great Britain has opted out of the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha.

The reigning indoor and outdoor world champion Phillips Idowu will not defend his Triple Jump title at this week's World Indoor Championships in Doha.

Idowu, who became a father for the second time last week, said the late birth of his son had disrupted his training and he will now concentrate on the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona to be held through 27 July to 1 August.

"I am gutted not to be representing the Great Britain team in Doha and passing up the opportunity to defend my title. However the late arrival of my baby boy has meant that my training has been severely disrupted and I decided after talking with my coach that I'd not had the preparation we agreed was needed to do the British team proud," said the 2009 European Athlete of the Year.

"I was hoping to avoid this by competing in a larger than usual number of events early in the season, but it hasn't worked out that way. Instead I will increase the training with a focus on the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona. I wish the team the best of luck in Doha," he added.

He jumped a season's best of 17.25m at the UK Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham in February, but that was only good enough for fourth place.

The 31-year-old, who won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, sits joint sixth on the list of leading jumpers this season.

Italy's Fabrizio Donato is at the top with a mark of 17.39m, ahead of Sweden's Christian Olsson (17.32), a two-time former world indoor champion getting back to his best after a succession of injuries.

UKA Head Coach Charles van Commenee said, "I am disappointed that Phillips is not competing this week as he was a clear medal prospect for us. However I need to respect his decision and I look forward to him resuming winning ways in Barcelona in the summer."