Olympic Champion Kitajima To Miss Rome Worlds

The 26-year-old won double gold in the 100 and 200 metres breaststroke at last year's Beijing Olympics.

The future of Japan's double Olympic swimming champion Kosuke Kitajima remains in doubt after he said he would skip this year's world championships.

The 26-year-old won double gold in the 100 and 200 metres breaststroke at last year's Beijing Olympics -- as he also did at the 2004 Athens Games.

Kitajima has spent his time collecting awards, making commercials and helping promote Tokyo's 2016 Olympic bid since his stunning Beijing success last August.

"I haven't been swimming as you know," Kitajima told reporters on Saturday when asked about the Japanese national championships in April. "I won't be there."

The nationals double as a selection event for the world championships in Rome from July 19 to Aug. 2 and Kitajima will automatically forego selection by opting out.

Kitajima has yet to make an announcement on his future, although he has done little to dismiss speculation he will not be on the blocks at the 2012 London Olympics.

"I don't miss (the competition)," he said. "It feels great not to be training at this time of year. It's the first chance I have had to physically and spiritually enjoy life."