The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have faced significant setbacks as several high-profile athletes withdraw from the event.Olympic silver medallist Katarina Johnson-Thompson has pulled out due to injury, while Dina Asher-Smith and Matt Hudson-Smith, both set to compete in relays for Team England, have also been replaced.Johnson-Thompson, 33, was preparing for her third heptathlon at the Games but cited a lack of fitness as the reason for her absence.She will focus on the European Championships instead.

The withdrawals of such prominent athletes have raised concerns about the event's competitiveness, especially with other top athletes like Keely Hodgkinson and Julien Alfred also opting out to prioritize other competitions.Organizers have acknowledged the challenges, citing the late scheduling and the absence of major nations as factors affecting participation.

Despite these issues, they remain optimistic about the Games' success, emphasizing the importance of nurturing younger athletes and ensuring the event remains relevant in the global sporting calendar.The track and field competition is set to begin on Monday, with hopes that the Games will still showcase strong performances despite the setbacks.