Posters on the newly reincarnated running forum for simpletons Eightlane have been quick to express their dismay at the inclusion of Ryan McLeod in the team for the European Cross Country Championships next weekend.
"The non selection of Lee Carey is a disgrace" thundered one 'BRITS ABROAD' whilst 'i'm with jim [sic]' agreed with the sentiment before turning on the unwitting McLeod: "i will tell you what is even more disappointing [sic]" frothed the enraged opportunist, "mcleod coming 6th. paid trips to france and kenya znd that's what we get in return [sic]". Sensing a case of the green-eyed monster, several offered a defence of McLeod - who notched up his best ever performance at the Liverpool trial race - only to be batted down by 'the three degrees'. "look i like him [sic]" was his/her/it's reasoned opening, "but i don't think we are getting value for money for sending people over there [to Kenya presumably]." Oh dear, it seems as though Mr/Mrs Three Degrees forgot to get his/her application in for the altitude training in time. Clearly forgetting his claim of liking McLeod, the courageously anonymous poster continued: "he has had money thrown at him all of his life. what has carey asked for? the chance to do his exams and fly in to a race is not a lot to ask [sic]." Well, we could point out that Lee Carey is on a full scholarship in the States and that UKA make it clear that athletes have to be back in the UK the week before the Championships (to which Carey could not comply), but one should never let facts get in the way of a good story.
Coincidently, Eightlane is the very same forum that has got itself into a hysterical fit twice in the past twelve months over the non-selection of athletes who finished in the top six places at the supposed trial race. In one bizarre instance, the centre-piece of a presumably ill-fated 'LOVE ATHLETICS, HATE UKA' campaign was an open letter calling for greater transparency in selection. Now what could be more transparent than selecting the top six finishers of a trial I wonder?