Michael Johnson: 'Greg Rutherford should do less talking'

Eight-time sprinting world champion Michael Johnson has told Greg Rutherford to keep his mouth shut and focus on competing in the long jump.

Britain's Olympic champion has been outspoken in his criticism of UK Athletics recently, while he also complained about GB's kit for the World Athletics Championships.

However, Johnson believes that Rutherford's comments are only harming his chances and advised the 28-year-old to turn his full attention to jumping.

"Rutherford makes a lot of inflammatory comments but there isn't a lot of explanation behind those. So it's hard to know what's prompted him to make those comments," Johnson told BBC Radio 5 live.

"He may want to look at why he hasn't been able to benefit from being an Olympic gold medallist at home. He may find that some of it has something to do with some of these comments he makes.

"If you have a problem with UKA, Twitter is not the place to deal with that and I think he has to learn that. Now's not the time to be focused on UK Athletics - do more jumping, less talking."

Rutherford will be aiming to become just the fifth Briton to hold the Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles at the same time when he competes in the long jump final in Beijing this afternoon.