Give us the means to achieve our Olympic dreams, beg sprint stars
Ian Cooper
 | | STOPPED IN THEIR TRACKS... From left: Enfield & Haringey sprinters Rachel Telfer, Luke Fagan (and below), David Telfer and Torema Thompson with their coach Darlon Clarke. |
FOUR Enfield & Haringey sprinters who caught the eye of Olympic gold medallist
Usain Bolt believe only a change to the way British athletics is funded can save its next generation of competitors.
Luke Fagan, Rachel and David Telfer and Torema Thompson spent a month in Jamaica receiving tips and guidance from 100m and 200m world-record holder Bolt, in a trip organised by the quartet's coach Darlon Clarke, who coached Bolt as a 13-year-old.
All four runners have medalled for Great Britain at junior level, and are now harnessing Bolt's advice as they train around the clock in preparation for a shot at glory at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
But their dreams face a major stumbling block - none of the four meet the requirements for financial support set by governing body UK Athletics, whose 'no compromise' funding strategy sees money focused primarily on the elite British athletes who are gearing up for the 2012 Games in London.
Former 200m English Schools champion Fagan, who like many other young athletes is forced to fund himself, believes the 2012 preparations are undermining the development of the next batch of British stars, meaning that many unearthed talents are slipping through the net.
"It's not that we feel abandoned, but it feels like after working so hard, just when we need help and support to make the next step, we're ignored," said the 21-year-old from Tottenham.
"There should be some kind of funding made available for all serious athletes at grassroots level. That's how you keep the sport going. With the 2012 Games around the corner, they should be doing everything they can to bring young athletes through.
"In the last two years I've been in and out of competition because of injury. I pulled a hamstring and then damaged a tendon. Because of that I missed the Under-23 European Championships. Funding would have helped me recover from those injuries a lot quicker. It's had a big impact on my progress.
"Getting to the Olympics is a dream for all of us, whether it's at 2012 or 2016, and Usain is someone we aspire to. He's a really down-to-earth guy and he gave us advice on competing at the top level, which we now want to implement into our training."
Meanwhile, their coach Clarke admits he is frustrated at the lack of support for his young stars.
Fagan and David Telfer both won bronze for Great Britain in the relays at the 2007 Under-20 Olympics, while Fagan also came fifth in the finals of the European Trials.
Clubmate Thompson won the 200m at the Under-23 trials in Bedford last year, but has since been dropped from the funding list - a move which left her coach baffled.
UK Athletics currently receives its money from UK Sport, with the total amount then split between 'podium' athletes - those on track for 2012 and 'development' funds which, in theory, focus on the sport at grassroots level. But the no compromise strategy means more athletes miss out than benefit.
Enfield & Haringey treasurer Frank Adams, who also coaches the quartet, admits it is harder than ever for young athletes to
receive funding, and he believes the youngsters' careers hinge on adequate support.
"Funding should be focused on the developing elite as opposed to the elite. That's the only way to bring through the next generation," said Adams.
"When you see someone like Luke, who is among the top eight in the country in his age group, you can see the potential. It's about making that next step. That's partly a matter of time, and partly finance. In the long term, I think lack of funding could be a big issue for all of them."
But UK Sport defended their strategy, citing the achievements of Britain's athletes at recent major games - such as the Beijing Olympics in 2008, when GB won 47 medals.
A UK Sport spokesperson said: "It is tough, obviously you'd like to fund everyone, but it is a limited pot of money and that just isn't possible.
"Currently we have to focus on those athletes likely to be on track for 2012, and that means making some tough decisions. But we believe it does work, and if you look at the number of medals for British athletes at, for example, the Beijing Olympics, you can see why we're confident.
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