Rudisha, who was unable to defend his world title in Moscow last summer after injuring his knee while training in Central Park shortly after winning the New York Diamond League meeting on May 10, picked up his latest injury last week.

"I'm very disappointed not to be able to race in Doha next Friday. I know I've got a lot of fans there and I'm sorry I cannot compete for them," Rudisha said.

His manager James Templeton added: "Unfortunately David Rudisha has had to withdraw from next week's first Diamond League meeting in Doha.

"He has been training well; progressively getting fitter and stronger these last months and ‎was excited about returning to competition in Doha.

"It's been on his agenda these last months and he's been building towards that.

"However he had a setback last week in training - a strained calf muscle as he was training on the track - that precluded him from competing in the AK meeting in Mumias on Friday.

"It's not a major injury but he's been sore and unfortunately doesn't feel able to risk his comeback by racing in the next week."

A calf injury has forced world 800m record holder David Rudisha (centre) to scratch from his comeback race at this Friday's IAAF Doha Diamond League meeting ©Getty Images

The President of the Qatar Athletics Federation and Chairman of the IDL 2014 Organising Committee Dahlan Al Hamad also commented: "The most important thing at the moment for David Rudisha is to heal his injury and return stronger than ever.

"I hope he will soon regain his full strength and fitness and be 100 per cent healthy in order to fulfil his 2014 targets.

"Fans will miss the opportunity to see him in Qatar next Friday, nevertheless the IDL Doha 2014 meeting line-up includes so many great athletes, that I am sure spectators in Qatar Sports Club and the TV viewers will enjoy a fantastic athletics night."

Despite the absence of Rudisha, the season-opener of the 2014 IAAF Diamond League series will feature numerous world class performers, including Jamaica's double Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, world and Olympic shot put champion Valerie Adams, double world 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop and Olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor.

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