Johnson: £27m to win six GB medals is a concern

TRACK legend Michael Johnson says British Athletics should be concerned despite hitting their World Championship target with a late rush of relay medals. UK Sport set the British team a goal of six to eight medals in return for funding of £27million. They managed six after taking five in the final weekend. Four came in the relays but it is reasonable to question the depth of the success with only Mo Farah’s 10,000 metres gold and 5,000m silver to show for the 80 athletes in individual events. Considering Farah has run his last track race for Britain, there would appear to be a lack of proven contenders before the Tokyo Olympics. While Neil Black, the GB performance director, has spoken of the squad’s great promise, four-time Olympic champion Johnson (below) asked if the return was value for the investment. He tweeted: ‘Four thrilling relay medals. One individual medallist. Farah. He’s retiring. £27m investment. I’d be concerned.’ Black drew criticism during a seven-day spell when no British medals were won, so would be entitled to celebrate a vindication of sorts. But it is a worry that of the athletes held up as medal contenders — Andy Pozzi, Holly Bradshaw, Sophie Hitchon, Katarina JohnsonThompson, Robbie Grabarz, Laura Muir, CJ Ujah and Tom Bosworth — none actually made the podium.