Dundonian athlete Eilish McColgan has reacted furiously after learning crucial funding support has been pulled just 277 days before next year’s Olympics.
McColgan was one of the young prospects named as a recipient of support under British Athletics’ World Class Performance Programme in 2014/15.
However, her name was missing when a new list for 2015/16 was announced today.
McColgan, the daughter of Scottish track star Liz and fellow athlete Peter, has endured a miserable year and has been working hard to recover from a broken ankle that left her unable to compete during 2015.
The 24-year-old told The Courier she felt she deserved more of an opportunity to recover from her latest injury.
She said: “I made the London Olympics after coming back from a similar injury and thought it would make more sense to give me more of a chance of making it next year.
“It’s a bit of a blow that people don’t have faith in me enough to believe that I can be there.”
https://youtube.com/watch?v=8KOT-NSVWt0%3Frel%3D0
The track star also took to Twitter to lambast the funding decision, posting a picture of chocolate coins to describe her current financial position.
Eilish, 24, sarcastically described the decision as “helpful and inspiring” before telling followers “no wonder athletes cheat.”
She tweeted: “Always nice to get booted off funding with 277 days to go until Rio 2016.”
“No wonder athletes cheat.. One injury from being a clean, hard-working athlete and support is cut.. #helpful #inspiring #nat”
The athlete was however quick to respond to fan’s concerns, adding that she remains fully focused on the season ahead.
Always nice to get booted off funding with 277 days to go until Rio 2016. ? My current financial status… pic.twitter.com/nGQ6oQlavg
— Eilish Mccolgan (@EilishMccolgan) November 9, 2015
She said: “Don’t worry.. I was joking. It doesn’t change what I’m trying to do – I’ll work just as hard without their support.”
The former 3,000m steeplechase British champion has been an integral part of the British track team in recent years and ran at last year’s Commonwealth Games.
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