LONDON _ British sprinter and Olympic gold medalist Mark Lewis-Francis has pulled out of the Beijing Games because of injury.

Lewis-Francis, who anchored the British team to the gold medal in the 4x100 meter relay in Athens four years ago, hurt his Achilles during warm weather training in Cyprus, Britain's Press Association reported Monday.

The injury requires surgery, PA said. Lewis-Francis, who was world junior champion in the 100 meters in 2000, has never won a major individual sprint title outdoors.