Blackburn Olympian Holly Bleasdale is to miss the summer season as she targets a return to full fitness in 2015 ahead of her main aim of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The British pole vault record-holder announced her plans for a break from competitive action, explaining how the decision has been made with her long-term success in mind.

“I’ve made the decision not to compete in the 2014 summer season,” said Bleasdale, who will miss both the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the European Championships in Zurich this summer. “I don’t want a season where I risk fighting against things I can’t control.”