DOUBTS OVER FUTURE OF ATHLETICS IN LONDON

CONCERNS are growing around the long-term future of track and field in london after UK Athletics accepted a seven-figure pay-off from london Stadium bosses to relocate the Anniversary Games this summer. It is understood that the final fee, paid by the london legacy Development Corporation, was around £1.8million after they objected to meeting the £3m cost of reconfiguring the stadium to stage the July 13 meet. UKA had threatened legal action to preserve their contractual right to stay at the home of the london 2012 Olympics but have now confirmed they will go elsewhere. Gateshead is the favourite to host the event.

SCOTTISH trio Calum Hill, Richie Ramsay and Connor Syme all sit two shots off the pace in the Canary Islands Championship at the halfway stage. Hill and Ramsay both fired second consecutive 65s, while Syme went one better with a 64, topped off by an eagle on the last. Spain’s Adri Arnaus lead the way on 14 under par, with South Africa’s Garrick Higgo one shot further back in second.