World 100m freestyle record holder Eamon Sullivan is still feeling the strong effects of a stomach virus that struck him on his way to Europe a fortnight ago.

The 23 year old Australian has consequently been forced to withdraw from the swim meet in Monte Carlo that he was using as preparation for the world championships in Rome in July.

Sullivan participated in Canet, France last week in the hope that he could overcome the tummy bug, however it may have stifled his recovery.

In Monte Carlo Australian head coach Alan Thompson explained, “he (Sullivan) swam in the preliminaries of the 100m freestyle, but he was just no better so we pulled him out... to give him time to prepare for the Paris Open next weekend”.

Sullivan pocketed a gold and a bronze medal at the world championships in Melbourne in 2007, and set two Australian records and bagged three medals in Beijing last year.

It is hoped that the interrupted campaign will not hinder the possibility of more medals for Sullivan in Rome.