Athletics

Middle-distance runner Alexandra Bell has launched a withering attack on UK Athletics’ under-fire head of endurance, Barry Fudge, after losing her appeal against being denied National Lottery Funding.

Bell, who this year reached the semi-finals of the World Championships, posted on Twitter: “Thanks again British Athletics for not believing in me for this very important year ahead. Why doesn’t that surprise me. The only one who hits the criteria yet again and missed off another one of Barry Fudge’s lists. SHOCK.”

A spokesman for UKA said it did not comment on individual selection decisions. Fudge was the point of contact between it and the Nike Oregon Project, which was shut down after Alberto Salazar was banned for doping offences. There was no evidence in the ruling against him to suggest Fudge had been aware of Salazar’s offending, but UKA last month announced an independent review into its relationship with Salazar.