800m runner considers legal action against UK Athletics
British middle-distance runner Alexandra Bell says she is considering taking legal action against UK Athletics after being overlooked for funding for the Tokyo Olympics. Bell produced Britain’s best performance in the women’s 800m semi-finals at the 2019 World Championships.
But the 27-year-old was not selected for UKA’S world-class programme. “I’m not the first athlete who’s probably gone through this, but I want to be the last,” she said.
She has now threatened to take the matter further, telling BBC Sport that UKA had behaved “disgracefully” and treated athletes “like dishcloths”.
“I would welcome legal advice and legal action because it’s not right what they’ve done,” added Bell.
“I’m happy to stand up for when something’s not right.and that’s what I intend to do.” In a statement, UKA said it did not comment on individual cases, adding that selection decisions were “discussed thoroughly” and that every athlete was “treated fairly and with respect at all times”.
Fudge has declined to comment. Ten days ago, after losing her appeal against the ruling, Bell posted on social media that despite meeting the selection criteria, she would was “never going to get a chance” of funding while Fudge was at UKA.
Having now been told by UKA that her application for a second appeal has been rejected, Bell has expanded on her allegations, claiming Fudge told her he believed she did not have “medal mentality” when she missed out on selection for the European Championships last year.
“That was one of the reasons for my appeal,” Bell said.“he’s always going to have this opinion of me.“he doesn’t know me from Adam. I just don’t understand how I can be judged on his opinion.” Bell is also unhappy an athlete representative was not allowed at the selection meeting, and claims she was denied the minutes from the ruling. “It’s just three or four summary points, not extracts, not minutes” she said. - BBC