Guy Learmonth criticises 'disgusting' omission from World Indoor Championships
- Published
Guy Learmonth was beaten by Jack Higgins in a photo finish at the British Indoor trials
Scottish 800m runner Guy Learmonth has criticised his "disgusting" omission from the British squad for next month's World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.
Learmonth, 31, missed automatic selection after finishing 0.001 seconds behind Jack Higgins in a photo finish at the British Indoor Championships.
But despite neither athlete meeting the criteria, Learmonth was given an invite by World Athletics.
Learmonth told BBC Scotland he is "disillusioned" with British Athletics.
"They've completely taken this golden opportunity for me away to end my indoors career in Glasgow," he added.
"I know it's personal. I've taken it higher up and we'll see how that unfolds. I won't hold my breath, but it's just disgusting, and they shouldn't be allowed to get away with this."
British Athletics says it does not comment on specific selection decisions.
Its policy states athletes will only be considered if the panel believes they can "contribute to medal success or finish in the top eight".
Athletes have to meet either the World Athletics qualification standard in their event or a certain ranking to be considered for the British squad.
Learmonth's best race in the relevant timeframe is 0.8 seconds outside the required time, but his ranking was sufficient to get an invite from World Athletics.
Athletes had until 10:00 GMT on Tuesday 20 February to appeal against the decision, but Learmonth says his invite was not confirmed until the following morning.
The decision means there will be no British men competing in the 800m in Scotland next week.
Learmonth added: "They've turned around and said: We don't think you'll medal or make top eight, so we're not going to accept your invite anyway.
"That's fair enough, if that's an opinion, but I've finished sixth in two Commonwealth Games, two European Championships and six world indoors before as well."
Learmonth, who says he was suffering from illness when he ran in the 800m at the British trials last weekend, believes he is being punished for speaking out against British Athletics in the past.
"I've always spoken my mind for what's best for the sport and for athletes, and they don't like that," he added. "They don't want to hear any constructive criticism, and that is why we're dying.
"That is why there is the constant cycle of new coaches and new performance directors and new CEOs. And we've got no sponsors, no TV rights.
"Everything is falling apart now. Granted things are slowly changing now, and that is because of [chief executive] Jack Buckner and I believe in him wholeheartedly. I don't believe in many other people in there. It needs a complete overhaul."