UK Athletics has defended its “incredibly difficult” decision to pick CJ Ujah for Britain’s 4x100m relay squad for the first time since his drugs ban, saying it had little choice given the sprinter could qualify for the Olympics.
Eyebrows were raised at UKA’s decision to include Ujah in the GB squad for the world relays next month, given his positive test after the Tokyo Olympic final cost Team GB a silver medal. However the chief executive, Jack Buckner, said it was a sensible move with Paris around the corner.
“I am not ducking it,” he said. “I think it’s really difficult and it’s hard. The bottom line is if CJ Ujah qualifies for the Olympic Games as an individual, he’s in the relay squad. We have to plan for every eventuality.
“I’d rather we face up to that and plan for that and prepare for that professionally, in a mature manner, than just hide it under the carpet somewhere in some kind of awkward way. Ultimately the World Athletics rules mean that he, as an individual, if he gets in that team, he’s in the relay squad.”
As first revealed by the Guardian, Ujah’s positive test was found to have been caused by a contaminated amino acid bought on Amazon for £10 during lockdown and he was cleared of intentionally doping. However his teammate Richard Kilty accused him of being “reckless” because he did not use a supplement cleared by Informed Sport.
Buckner also confirmed the UKA sprint coach, Darren Campbell, had spoken to the rest of the squad before picking Ujah. “My understanding is that Darren has had all of the difficult conversations with everyone involved ahead of time. It’s tough. Sprinters are tough personalities and big personalities so all credit to Darren, who was supported by Paula Dunn.”
Buckner was speaking after UKA, the Great Run Company and London Marathon Events announced the creation of a new joint project, Athletic Ventures – which they hope will transform the future of the sport in the UK. “This is a groundbreaking model for the development of athletics and for major sports events in the UK,” he said.
