Eilish cut decision reversed

BRITISH Athletics has announced t hat Eilish McColgan has been restored to its Olympic World Class Performance Programme for 2016–2017.

The Dundee two-time Olympian was controversially cut from the group of athletes receiving National Lottery funding.

Her coach, mother Liz, described E i l i s h ’s omission as “disappointing, not right, and not fair” but she has now won her appeal.

Eilish said: “Obviously I’m really happy my appeal was successful.

“Naturally I was disappointed when not included on the original World Class Performance Programme last month, as I felt I did everything I could this year after injury and hit all the necessary criteria. It’s nice for that to have been recognised.

“I look forward to being a part of the World Class Performance Programme and hope t o continue improving in the 5,000m, which is still a new event for me, throughout the next year l ooking towards London 2017 (the World Championships) and beyond.”

With t he addition of McColgan, British Athletics has now selected 15 athletes for its Olympic Podium programme and 30 athletes for the Olympic Podium Potential programme, with a further 26 athletes included across the various Olympic World Class Performance Programme relay squads.

Funded by the National Lottery through UK Sport, British Athletics’ World Class Performance Programme selection is based on the potential to win medals at an Olympic or Paralympic Games.

Eilish McColgan