South Africa Olympic champions won't compete in world relay

South Africa's 4x100 metres Olympic gold medal-winning relay team will not take part in the event at next month's world championships in Montreal, the South African Press Association (Sapa) has reported.

The quartet of Ryk Neethling, Roland Schoeman, Darian Townsend and Lyndon Ferns caused a major upset in Athens last year when they claimed the Olympic gold for the 4x100m ahead of the more fancied American and Australian lineups.

But Sapa quoted Swimming South Africa (SSA) as saying the team would not compete in the relay at the world championships that run from July 16-31.

"The decision was made after much consultation and deliberation," SSA president Jace Naidoo said.

"Lyndon Ferns was not available, and in his most recent 100-metre freestyle swim Townsend posted a time of 53.19 seconds, in comparison to his time last year when he was consistently swimming under 51 seconds."

South Africa will be represented in four disciplines - swimming, diving, waterpolo and open water swimming - at the world championships.