Tokyo Olympian Ben Connor has pulled out of next week’s European Road Running Championships because athletes have been told to pay for travel costs by governing body
Olympian Ben Connor has turned down another Great Britain vest having been told he would need to pay to compete at next week’s European Road Running Championships.
Connor, who ran at the Tokyo Games, was initially named in the squad to compete in the half marathon in Leuven, Belgium. But he has now decided to reject the invitation for financial reasons while criticising what he said was a lack of transparency from UK Athletics around the financial state of the sport.
In its selection policy for the competition, the governing body said it could ask athletes interested in running to pay up to £1,100 for travel, accommodation, food, kit and staff. UKA also said it is now “impossible” to fund every competition in an increasingly busy calendar.
But in a social media post announcing his withdrawal, Derby-based Connor said: “Representing your country is a privilege, and in athletics is earned via a qualifying process, which while not always perfect, gives everyone the same chances to gain selection.
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“Coming from a working-class background I don’t like the potential precedent being set where people, especially junior athletes of the future, don’t have the same development or competition opportunities because of finances.
“I wish there was more transparency and honesty regarding the state of our governing bodies finances and about how our sport is being managed for this to be the position.”
UKA, which receives £20m in funding from UK Sport per year, has said the cost is less than £500 while national bodies, including England Athletics, have offered to subside.
“In order to be selected for the European Road Running Championships, athletes were required to submit an expression of interest form which acknowledged they were aware of the potential athlete contribution which would have to be made,” UKA said in a statement.
“Upon selection athletes were also advised that the earlier ‘maximum contribution amount’ of £1,100, was likely to be under £500 and in some cases around the £2-250 mark with a further contribution from their home country athletics organisation.
“With more competitions being created at International level across differing disciplines and age groups it is impossible for the sport to fund all teams. Up to 500 athletes can wear the GB & NI vest each year across all disciplines and competitions and UKA feels it is better to give athletes opportunity to compete than opt not to send teams at all.”
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