British athletes accuse UKA of ‘stealing’ World Championships chance

Lina Nielsen competes in the Women’s 400m Hurdles final in June’s Diamond League meeting in Lausanne. Photograph: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Furious British athletes have accused the national federation of “stealing” their chance to compete at next month’s World Championships, with UK Athletics set to rip up their invitations.

At least 19 British athletes will be told they cannot take their place at the sport’s showpiece event despite qualifying through the world rankings. “UK Athletics make us feel like the shittest athletes in the world,” said Lina Nielsen, Britain’s No 2-ranked 400 metres hurdler. “I feel like I am being robbed.”