Only four Scots in UK athletics elite list

JUST four Scots have been named in UK Athletics 71-strong elite performance list, earning the highest level of Lottery funding in the lead-up to London 2012.

Despite missing the entire summer through injury, Steph Twell has kept her place on the Podium programme alongside fellow Olympic hopeful Lee McConnell, while Paralympic duo Stef Reid and Libby Clegg will also get maximum support.

However, there was no spot in the group for Commonwealth Games medallist Eilidh Child, who remains on the second tier of backing after failing to make the world championship final in Daegu.

The Perthshire-based hurdler is joined on the development group by rising Scottish prospects Eilish McColgan and Lynsey Sharp, while marathon runners Susan Partridge and Andrew Lemoncello miss out completely in a blow to their Olympic preparations. “We operate in a results-driven business in which clear decisions have to be made if athletes are not performing to the high standards we set,” said UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee.

“We have reviewed performances from 2011, including those from previous years, and identified what needs to be done in order to meet our targets for 2012.

“Progress was made in 2011 but there is still work to be done before next August to make our athletes perform better. A target of eight medals, including one gold, still remains.”

World champions Mo Farah and Dai Greene retain their places on the top level of funding, along with fellow Daegu medallists Phillips Idowu, Jessica Ennis, Hannah England and Andy Turner, but former Olympic medallists Mark Lewis-Francis and Kelly Sotherton have been dropped after disappointing seasons as van Commenee – who used to coach Sotherton – displays his usual ruthless touch.

“The athletes selected on to the programme will deservedly be given support from UKA and the National Lottery and these people will perform to the highest possible standard for the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team on the international stage,” the Dutchman added. “The funding made available to UKA from the National Lottery enables our athletes to work with the best coaches and other support staff to ensure they got the best possible preparation for when they pull on a Great Britain vest.”