World Indoor 400m David Gillick yesterday vowed to forgo the upcoming indoor campaign in attempt to channel all his energy into making a breakthrough next summer.

The Dublin sprung to the fore in March when blitzed around the final bend to land his first Major individual medal. It was commonly believed he would seek to make further strides this winter season, with the World Indoor Championships in Moscow being the season's highlight.

But after he suffered ill-effects from his lengthy indoor campaign this year - he sustained a back injury that totaled much of his summer season - he will put in the hard grind in training this winter, believing this will allow him make the arduous transition from indoor to outdoor running.

It's a progression two other Irish one-lappers, Karen Shinkins and Paul McKee, have recently come short of making in recent years. Shinkins won bronze at the European Indoors in 2002, while the Ulster man's bronze medal winning effort at the 2003 World Indoors did not presage outdoor greatness.

Gillick said: "Winning in Madrid was fantastic. But it hurt me later in the season. I've since realised that no 400m-runner has managed to combine a good outdoor season with a good indoor season.

"So everything about never year is being geared towards Gothenburg, and that will mean missing big indoor races."

One of the successes in Irish athletics in recent years was the bronze medal won by the Irish 4 x 400m at the 2003 World Indoors, and Gillick hasn't ruled out joining force with his compatriots in a bid to replicate that achievement at this year's event, in Moscow from March 10th to 12th.

He added: "It's still possible we could have a relay team for the indoors, and that's something I would consider. But it won't be a priority; I won't be around for much of indoor season because I'll be warm weather training in South Africa."