WASHINGTON, Oct 5 (AFP) - After undergoing his annual medical check-up in August 2001, 2002 and 2003, US President George W. Bush has put the procedure off this year until after the November 2 election, his spokesman said Tuesday.
Bush, locked in a neck-and-neck race for the White House with Democratic Senator John Kerry, is in "great health" and got the green light for the decision from his doctors, spokesman Scott McClellan told AFP.
"This has been a busier travel period for the president than the previous three years," the spokesman said.
Bush, 58, is known as an avid physical fitness buff who switched from running to mountain biking earlier this year after hurting his knee.
"The president, like other Americans, talked with his doctors about when to have his physical. They felt it was perfectly fine to do it later this year," said McClellan. "The president is an active person who is physically fit and in great health."
Bush underwent his three previous physicals as president in the first week of August in 2001, 2002 and 2003. He was given a clean bill of health after all three.