Muir: There’s no truth to charge of Sharp practice
LAURA Muir was forced to defend herself after being accused of playing games ahead of her British Championships win.
The Scot won the 800 metres to claim the British title at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium yesterday, but her rivals were unhappy with what they perceived to be a lack of clarity.
Lynsey Sharp, who came fifth to put her European Championships spot at risk, appeared to accuse Muir of dirty tricks and felt British Athletics had allowed her to enter after the deadline.
Muir, who won in two minutes 01.22 seconds, could also face a protest but any action is likely to be rejected.
The start list did not update online following last Monday’s entry deadline, despite Muir entering 24 hours beforehand, but, with a European Championships place on the line, Sharp hit out.
Sharp, who could still earn a discretionary place on the team for Berlin in August, said: “Games have been played all week by individuals and our governing body, which is meant to be unbiased.
“You can call me bitter, but I play by the rules and I came here prepared based on what I knew the field was going to be and that was different on Saturday morning.”
Data shows Muir, who also entered the 1500m but did not race, did register on time. She said: “We accepted the entry for the 800m over a week ago. It just didn’t update online. It’s always been in our minds to do the 800m. I think some of them maybe knew. Some of them knew from having raced in Oslo. I’m European lead in both 800m and 1500m, so I don’t know if it’s a huge surprise for me to do the 800m. I’m a strong contender in that event.”
A statement from British Athletics read: “British Athletics can confirm that no athlete entered in the women’s 800m has been granted late entry or showed favouritism in any manner in the lead-up to this weekend’s championships.”
Elsewhere, Nethaneel MitchellBlake beat Adam Gemili to the 200m crown.
Andrew Pozzi regained the 110m hurdles British title in 13.61s, but Katarina Johnson-Thompson came 13th in the javelin with 39.98m after her silver medal in the high jump on Saturday.
The 25-year-old is aiming for a hattrick of titles this year ahead of the Euros in Berlin after the world indoor pentathlon crown and Commonwealth Games heptathlon gold.
“I’ve not done anything for a couple of months. I’m against specialists in the javelin but it gives me a good chance to build on that,” she said.
“I have five weeks (to Berlin) and that’ll be enough.” Dai Greene, who has endured years of injury problems, won the 400m hurdles in 50.06. The 2011 world champion missed the Commonwealths for Wales after tearing his hamstring days before the start. He said: “The aim was to get to the Europeans. I haven’t raced much and I still feel a bit rusty. I don’t know I have the ability to get on to the podium.”
Beth Dobbin won the women’s 200m, while Chris O’Hare triumphed in the men’s 1500m.
REECE Prescod believes Great Britain can do a 100 metres clean sweep at the European Championships.
The 22-year-old defended his title at the British Championships on Saturday and booked his spot at the Europeans in Berlin in August.
He won in 10.06 seconds with Zharnel Hughes runner-up in 10.13secs and CJ Ujah third in 10.18s, although there was hope before the race that Linford Christie’s 25-year British record of 9.87 may be beaten.
Hughes also qualified automatically, with Ujah needing a selectors’ pick to make it to Germany, but he has the qualification standard.
And Prescod, who has run a windassisted 9.88 this season, feels the trio will be the ones to beat in Berlin: “Me and the boys are doing well. Zharnel is in good shape, CJ has come back and we are training together. Me and CJ will be ready to go, hopefully he gets picked, and Zharnel is on form, so I don’t see why not.”
Dina Asher-Smith took the women’s title in a championship record of 10.97.