Sprinter Tre Houston has pulled out of Bermuda’s NatWest Island Games squad to avoid aggravating an Achilles tendon injury ahead of next month’s Pan Am Games in Toronto.

Houston set Island Games records in the 100 metres and 200 metres at the previous competition in Bermuda two years ago, and said he is disappointed not to be defending his pair of gold medals in Jersey this month.

However, he believes the “smart decision” is to withdraw from Bermuda’s squad rather than put more strain on his body by taking two transatlantic flights in quick succession before a major competition.

“This season has been going rough,” said Houston, who picked up his injury in January and missed the entire indoor season. “It’s by far the roughest season I have had.

“I have only trained consistently for about six weeks and it’s an injury that’s going to linger until I have complete rest.

“I think the smart thing for me, if I want to run quick and actually be healthy, is not travel too much before the Pan Am Games.

“The Island Games is in Jersey, that’s a seven-hour flight, then I’ve got to adjust to the time difference, do the runs and fly back to Toronto. That’s just too much strain for my body.”

Houston, who is based in his namesake city in the United States, became the quickest man in Island Games history when he ran 10.5sec in the 100 and 21.2 in the 200 at the National Stadium two years ago.

His performance at those Games still ranks as his career highlight, having yet to reach his full potential at a major competition.

“I would have loved to have competed at the Island Games,” said Houston, who was unable to progress to either the 100m or 200m semi-finals at last summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“I’m the record holder in the 100 and 200 and it would have been great to compete again. But, sometimes, you have to do what’s best for you and the Pan Am Games are my main priority.”

Houston, whose personal best in the 100m is 10.34 and 20.72 in the 200m, has competed in several meets this season and said he is more than prepared to grit his teeth and run through the pain barrier.

“I’ve got to the point where I’m not trying to think about the injury too much and just compete with a clear head,” said the 25-year-old.

“I just have to stop worrying about it and just run quick. I’ve still been competing but just not at a hundred per cent.

“My right Achilles is very thick compared to my left one. It’s very inflamed and I put the foot in an ice bucket after training every day.

“I’ve had therapy, used the cryotherapy chamber and compression boots.

“Hopefully it’s just a major setback before a major comeback.”