Ben Connor refuses the selection of Great Britain after being asked to pay to compete
“Representing your country is a privilege and in athletics it is earned through a qualifying process, which although not always perfect, gives everyone the same chances of obtaining the selection,” wrote Connor.
“Coming from a background of the working class I don’t like to be the previous potential that people, in particular the junior athletes as the future, do not have the same development or competition opportunities due to finance.
“I wish there was more transparency and honesty about the state of our finances of the government bodies and how our sport is managed for this position.”
In a declaration, the Athletics UK (UKA) said that the Commission is probably less than £ 500 and that the athletes were aware of the cost when expressing interest in the competition.
He added that when more competitions are added to the calendar it is “impossible” to finance all the teams.
“At the time of the selection, the athletes were also notified that the previous” maximum contribution amount “of £ 1,100, probably would have less than £ 500 and in some cases around the sign of £ 2-250 with a further contribution of their organization of the countryside of origin of origin”, reads the note.
“Uka believes it is better to give athletes the opportunity to compete than to opt for not sending teams.”
The silver medal of 1500 mi now the commentator Hannah England states that the idea that athletes come to the competition price is “really worrying and sad”, but there is not enough money to go around.
“£ 20 million sports funding in the United Kingdom go to British athletics and therefore asks athletes to pay to compete. It does not seem a good narrative,” said England at BBC 5 Live Breakfast.
“But that financing is controlled and must go to the production of Olympic medals. This is a new championship, so there is no precedent for Olympos from that event.
“So or asks people to contribute or do not send a team. And this is really difficult for people to study.”
The championships are one of the numerous events in which the UK athletics asks for a contribution, with a maximum of £ 200 listed for the European Under 23 championships in Bergen.
In the policy of that event, the Athletics of the United Kingdom says: “We recognize that the associated financial commitment can present challenges for some athletes. To face this problem, the team of the UKA performance path undertakes to work closely with the athletes who have to face financial difficulties to explore solutions that allow their involvement”.
