Perec out of Games after hotel incident

French three-time Olympic champion MarieJose Perec has pulled out of the Olympic Games, her main sponsor Reebok said early this morning.

Reebok said the Frenchwoman had left Sydney after being threatened at her hotel.

"Because of this unfortunate incident Marie-Jose has decided to withdraw from . . . competition," Reebok said in a statement.

"Marie-Jose has been under a great deal of pressure and yesterday afternoon she was harassed in her hotel room by an unidentified man who forced his way into her room and threatened her."

Reebok refused to confirm reports she had left the country although airport sources said she had left on an overnight flight from Melbourne to Singapore. The French star was due to begin the defence of her Olympic 400 metres crown on tomorrow with Australian world champion Cathy Freeman expected to be her greatest threat. Perec (32) won the 200-400 metres double four years ago in Atlanta and the 400-metres title in 1992 in Barcelona.