All the action from the BUCS Trials rounded up by the Echo
FURIOUS EMERY PONDERS ACTION AFTER BADDICK SLUR
Stephen Emery has said that he is “hurt and upset” after Frank Baddick accused the Coventry Godiva man of “bottling it” at the Loughborough Open (inc. BUCS Trials) held yesterday. Going into the race, bookmakers had stopped taking bets on an Emery win, with many citing his “tremendous” form at LSAC’s Portugal Warm Weather training camp- in February you could get odds of 100-1 for the same outcome. However, race organisers received a call from Emery on the morning of the meeting declaring himself unwell and unable to compete. Speaking at the post race press conference, a victorious Baddick taunted Emery, stating that it was “disappointing” he chose not to run. “This was the big test,” beamed the Newham and Essex Beagle, “and Stephen clearly wasn’t ready for it. He says he was ill- but we have seen this before. He was in excellent shape in South Africa last year and that came to nothing.”
Baddick, who has had a disappointing winter, also told of his relief to chalk up a race victory. “This is the one I wanted,” said the 24 year old, “it’s the stuff you dream of. When things were going badly I just kept focussed on this- I thought save it for the Loughborough Open- then you’ll show them all.” The 3:42 1500m man went on to call Emery’s withdrawal “suspicious”. “All I’m saying is that this was the first time there was real pressure on him. With his meteoric rise of late, I just wonder whether there is something in his system that he isn’t telling us about.”
Emery meanwhile presented a doctor’s certificate at his own press conference this afternoon and is less than happy at Baddick’s comments. “Nonsense,” thundered the 8:51 3k man, “jealous, malicious, half baked nonsense. The biggest load of nonsense since sliced bread.” Emery also revealed that he was in discussions with his legal team. “Just because he was nowhere all winter, Frank thinks he can make stuff up to bring us all down. That is deeply upsetting. I was puking my guts up yesterday and so could never have raced.”
SPRINTERS FUME AT ‘WRONG COLOUR’ TRACK
Loughborough’s sprinters are demanding that the entire track is dug up and re-laid ahead of next month’s Loughborough International after several athletes complained that the track was “too red”. 100m man, Luke Stott said that the track’s colour ruined his race yesterday. “It was blinding,” harrumphed the 10.7 (wind assisted) man, “I glanced up from my blocks and all I could see was red, red, red. It ruined my concentration.” Meanwhile, Echo favourite James Dasaolu refused to race altogether citing the “disgusting” track colour. “I don’t know what’s happened over the winter,” said Dasaolu en route to a race in Limoges, “it was fine last year but there’s no way I’ll race on that now- it’s out of order.”
Loughborough’s facilities boss, Ian Anholm was less than impressed with the “whining sprinters”. “It’s always the same. Summer comes around and they need an excuse and so have a go at me. Poor old me- I try my best, but what do they want me to do? Go out there and re-paint the thing?” Anholm, who has been accused of a “tyrannical” management style in the past, was speaking after launching a probe into “inappropriate parking” at the event. “Some vehicles were all over the place,” said the admin chief, “and I distinctly saw one car drive the wrong way around the one way system. Heaven knows what would have happened if someone had been coming the other way- it just doesn’t bear thinking about.” Anholm pledged to “get to the bottom” of the misdemeanour and that “no punishment would be too harsh” for the perpetrator.
GANDY SKIPS TRIAL IN FAVOUR OF ‘NIGHT OUT WITH THE LADS’
George Gandy has been snapped by French newspaper L’Equipe leaving a French nightclub in the early hours of Saturday morning despite a previous pledge to be at Loughborough’s BUCS trials. The guru refused to answer his phone this morning but a UKA insider revealed how Gandy never made it to the airport for his planned flight to the East Midlands. “Ryan McLeod was planning a big night out and George wanted to get involved. Alasdair Donaldson remained at the accommodation ready to make the tea the morning after.” Gandy’s actions are unlikely to sit well with many who were looking forward to showing off their early season form to the LSAC Director. It is rumoured that Chris Warburton was “close to tears” when he heard the news and that Gary Bradbury refused to leave his home for “some hours” having got off the phone with the guru.
ECHO ANNOUNCES BUCS DEAL
The Lufbra Echo is thrilled to announce exclusive access to the Loughborough camp at next weekend's BUCS Championships. The news comes after rival publications attempted to swipe the deal from under our noses, but our unnamed Chief Executive remained resolute. He enthused: "this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. George Gandy is away and so it is likely access will be absolute. Our loyal readership can look forward to nightly updates, exclusive interviews and all the action as it happens." The Echo narrowly missed out on a similar deal with the University of North Dunstable, but will be able to carry snippets from around the stadium at Bedford.
Coverage is subject to availability and a delay of several hours. Terms and conditions apply. Some interviews will be more exciting than others.