Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Dina Asher-Smith have joined the list of high-profile names withdrawing from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The two athletes are among nine members of the English athletics team who withdrew on the day of the opening ceremony on Thursday, a major blow to the tournament organizers.

The quadrennial sporting event was threatened with cancellation after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew from hosting it, before the Scottish city of Glasgow took over hosting the Games, which include countries from the Commonwealth, most of which were former British colonies or dependencies.

Dina Asher-Smith (Reuters)

Olympic medalists Matthew Hudson-Smith and Daryll Neita also announced their withdrawal from the Games, along with Amber Anning, Zak Sneddon, Anna Burt, Elliot Giles, and Jona Efoloko.

Johnson-Thompson had been expected to seek a third consecutive Commonwealth Games title, after winning gold at both the Gold Coast and Birmingham Games.

The reason for her withdrawal has not been disclosed, but it is assumed she is prioritizing the European Championships to be held in the British city of Birmingham next month.

The packed schedule posed a dilemma for several prominent athletes, including Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, who decided not to seek participation in the Glasgow Games, according to the British news agency PA Media.

Among the global stars who previously withdrew from the Games are Australian Kaylee McKeown and Canadian Summer McIntosh, both multiple Olympic medalists in swimming, as well as Kenyan Mary Moraa, Hodgkinson's rival in the 800 meters.

British three-time Olympic gymnastics champion Max Whitlock was also forced to end his comeback attempt earlier this month due to injury.