UKA staff opposed Ellington’s comeback

JAMES ELLINGTON’S heroic return to the track in the London Anniversary Games today met opposition from within UK Athletics. There were fears the British sprinter, 33, would never walk again, never mind run, following the injuries he suffered in an horrific motorbike accident in Tenerife in January 2017. He has not run 100metres in anger since August 2016 and struggles to sprint beyond 60m without pain. But sources say he has been saddened by the absence of widespread support from his own governing body. Some UKA performance staff wanted the lane to be offered to an athlete capable of running faster, but organisers have accommodated Ellington, as well as one particular athlete being pushed for inclusion by certain UKA officials. Ellington, a 9.96sec sprinter before the crash, said: ‘I have not done a full 100m in training, so there will be an element of finding out what I can do on the day. I have felt very good over 60m and I have been extremely sharp over 30m, which is normally a good indicator. ‘Doing 60 has been leaving me banged up and in pain, so I would guess this will hurt. ‘After coming back from these injuries, I’ve got no fear about the challenge of getting to Tokyo.’ Laura Muir, now in full-time training after her veterinary degree, is targeting a personal best in the 1500m and said: ‘I’m almost in the best shape I’ve ever been in.’