City athlete loses her Games cash

Published on Thursday 15 November 2007 12:02

AN Edinburgh athlete who helped win the hosting of the Commonwealth Games for Scotland has been dropped from her sport's funding programme.

Hammer thrower Shirley Webb - who made 18 flights around the Caribbean, visiting six countries in seven days with the Glasgow bid team - learned by e-mail in Sri Lanka on the eve of the Games decision that she was being dumped from Scottish Athletics' 35-strong lottery-funded squad.

But she kept the news to herself to avoid negative publicity and has only now spoken out about her disappointment.

Ms Webb, who has competed in the last two Commonwealth Games, said: "It came as a surprise and I don't know why I've been dropped. I e-mailed back requesting a meeting but I haven't heard anything since then."

The athlete fought back from viral meningitis and a spell in intensive care earlier this year to claim the second spot in the British rankings.

She said: "It isn't going to affect my thoughts or plans for next season at all."

Nigel Hetherington, Scottish Athletics' performance manager, said he could not go into detail about the decision.