Andrew Butchart: UK Athletics investigates faked Covid-19 test claims
- Published
Andrew Butchart is a European bronze medallist
UK Athletics is investigating claims Scottish runner Andrew Butchart faked a Covid-19 test in order to return to the UK after an international event.
The comments were allegedly made by Butchart in a podcast that was subsequently deleted.
He was selected on Tuesday for Team GB for the Tokyo Olympics but British Athletics says that is under review.
The 29-year-old finished sixth in the final of the 5000m at the 2016 Games.
Butchart allegedly said he changed the date on an earlier PCR test after a delay in getting results back before his flight to the UK.
However, in a statement released by his representative, Butchart said he had "never falsified a PCR test" and had "always complied with the guidelines of the countries I have been travelling in".
"The context of the podcast was about how hard it has been for athletes during the pandemic to travel and race. I perhaps glorified the situation for the podcast and I apologise if it came across the wrong way and or causes any offence to anyone."
In a statement, UK Athletics said it was "aware of comments" and that it "takes very seriously any suggestion that an athlete has not followed guidelines".
It added: "As a result, this selection will stand subject to further investigation by UK Athletics. No further comment will be made until this investigation is concluded."
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