Sprinter Lee McConnell believes the new Super8 competition can help raise the profile of athletics despite dropping out of the inaugural event in Cardiff.

The 30-year-old has been on red hot form so far this season achieving the qualifying standard for next year's Commonwealth Games in both the 200m and 400m.

However with Augusts' World Championships in Berlin fast approaching and McConnell set to run at a Golden League meeting at the same venue in less than a week's time opted out.

McConnell wants to avoid getting run down but believes the inaugural Super8, which will see a host of British Olympians taking part, can only be good for the sport.

"I am sure it will help give the sport a fresh look," said McConnell. "I think travelling to Cardiff and then Berlin and running well at both meetings would be too much.

"I would have love to have gone but I'd like to get some training in and get over being a little run down especially with the World Champs so soon."