Learmonth furious at ‘corrupt’ body after funding blow

GUY LEARMONTH last night launched a blistering attack on British Athletics — claiming ‘corruption’ and ‘nepotism’ were to blame for him being denied funding. A total of 14 Scots were named among the reduced number of 112 athletes being supported by the Lottery-funded World Class Performance programme, with Callum Hawkins and Sammi Kinghorn promoted from the ‘Potential’ to ‘Podium’ list, which is the highest level of funding. But 800m runner Learmonth took to Twitter after missing out, suggesting his move back to Scotland from Loughborough was being held against him because his subsequent success ‘embarrassed’ the establishment. Learmonth, who will appeal the decision, Tweeted: ‘Wrong coach. Wrong set-up. Wrong environment. Clearly. ‘Had the greatest year ever, surpassed all your criteria, I have no track, no gym, nothing. I self-fund everything. ‘I’ve embarrassed your whole system. If I was still in Loughborough, I wouldn’t be writing this. That’s a fact. ‘The lack of vision, corruption and nepotism is beyond me. Thanks for the cheese.’ The second-fastest Scot of all time over two laps, Learmonth has targeted Tom McKean’s 28-year-old national record. His coach, Henry Gray, told Sportsmail: ‘Guy is ranked second in Britain — yet the athlete ranked third, Kyle Langford, is on funding. ‘Guy has taken a second-and-a-half off his time since moving back to Scotland. You have to ask if moving here has been held against him.’ British Athletics declined to respond to Learmonth’s comments. Also missing out is middle-distance man Chris O’Hare, who is now based in America. Para-athlete Kinghorn and Hawkins join fellow Scots Laura Muir and Lynsey Sharp on the Podium list.