Two-time European champion long distance runner Mo Farah of England and 800 metres world record holder David Rudisha of Kenya Friday joined the growing list of star athletes skipping the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.

Both Farah and Rudisha cited fatigue as the reason for their pullout. Athletes Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser and Chris Hoy are some of the other big names who have decided to pull out of the New Delhi event.

'I had a great 2010 season and my body is telling me that it is time to take a break from training and racing,' Farah was quoted as saying by the Telegraph.

'I have been competing since the start of the year at cross-country, road and track and feel that I need a few weeks off now to let my body recover, so that I can start winter training fit and healthy.'

Farah, 27, broke the British 5,000 metres record in Zurich earlier in the month.

The Englishman also pulled out of this weekend's season-ending Continental Cup in Croatia, where he was due to compete for Team Europe in the 5,000m.

Kenyan Rudisha who managed to put two world records in the 800m in the seven days said he started his season early and needs time to rest.

'I started my season early and was in shape, running 1:43 by February, and I maintained it until September. I need time to rest and focus on next year,' said Rudisha.

'I have come to realise that in this profession you do not need to wait for your body to tell you when to stop but rather have the instinct to stop when it is required.'

--Indo--Asian News Service

bs/pt/dg