Top British marathon hope Chris Thompson has been ruled out of the World Athletics Championships due to "significant delays" in processing his US visa application, writes Alex Spink in Eugene.
UK Athletics confirmed today that the 41-year old is one of hundreds of international athletes understood to be affected by delays, with more than 20 already refused entry to the meet which starts this evening.
“I'm absolutely devastated I won't be in Eugene to compete," said the Barrow-in-Furness star. "This was my major aim for the year and had prepared well for it.
"I'll never know what might have been, but I had high expectations of myself going out. It should never have got to this point and It's hard to believe it has."
Thompson added: “There isn’t an excuse for this. This process started in March after I was selected for the team and should have been sorted in time.
“I partly blame myself for not expressing more urgency giving the embassy more time but it’s not a natural part of my character to be bullish and pushy.
“To put myself through a while marathon cycle and not get to use the finished product is painful.”
The situation is an embarrassment to organisers and World Athletics, whose boss Seb Coe vowed lessons would be learned.
Athletes from around the world took to social media to flag up their own problems ahead of the first World Championships to be held in the United States.
US track legend Michael Johnson tweeted: “This would never happen in a truly professional sport.”
Renee Washington, chief operating officer for USA Track & Field, admitted she would not be satisfied “unless we have 100 per cent of athletes here” but then said "that is not something that we will probably be able to achieve".
The problem has partly been caused by World Athletics leaving the window for qualification open until very close to the start to give athletes every chance coming out of Covid.
That in turn has meant many having to start the visa application process relatively late.
World Athletics president Coe said: "We will work right up to the last minute but will we be able to resolve all those issues in time for the start of competition? No, we won't.
“In percentage terms it’s a small number, but that’s of no comfort if you are in that category."
