Liverpool City Council have this evening mounted a rigorous defence of accusations that they have been flooding Sefton Park ahead of the European Cross Country Trials this weekend. It is understood that the plan is designed to "get one over" the athletes who have been training in Kenya, thus opening the door for the "non-pussies" to qualify for the Championships. An insider told an investigator from the Sun newspaper how the authorities were out late at night turning fire hydrants over the course and that the practice had "gone on for years".
The reports - which have been described as "hysterical" by the Council - will come as a major blow to race organisers UKA, as they seek to recover from the "catastrophe" that was last year's event. At the time, the Governing Body launched an internal inquiry into how and why positions were allocated on photographic evidence, with the results clearly pointing the finger at Dwain Chambers. "It was all Dwain's fault" said Ian Stewart "and we have taken steps to insure that he can't sabotage yet another UKA event." UKA chiefs were forced to deny that they had "picked names out of a hat" in order to select the team for last year's Championships.
Many have called for a move away from the Sefton Park course after some athletes had to be rescued from the horrendously muddy "loop" last year. However, UKA have resisted the pressure on the grounds of their "excellent working relationship" with the Council. With tonight's revelations, there now are surely gravely serious concerns hanging over the event.