Birmingham sprinter Mark Lewis-Francis was dumped by e-mail

Nov 1 2009 by Adam Aspinall, Sunday Mercury

OLYMPIC champion Mark Lewis-Francis has opened his heart about the devastating decision to withdraw his Lotto funding – which may force him to retire at just 27.

The Birmingham sprinter raced into the record books by winning a sensational 100m relay gold at Athens in 2004.

But UK Athletics has now dropped the Birchfield Harrier from their World Class Performance squad – meaning he loses vital Lotto funding for training as well as medical support.

Incredibly, the dad-of-two says the shattering decision was not delivered face-to-face – but via e-mail.

“They did not even tell me in person, I got the news by e-mail and then a letter. I’m so disappointed by that,’’ he said.

“I’ve been scratching my head about it to be honest, wondering whether I can carry on.

“It looks like they’ve retired me because I’m not sure how I can go on from here.”

Lewis-Francis was tipped for the top as a teenager after bursting on to the athletics scene at the World Junior Championships in 2001 where he won 100 metres gold.

At just 21 he became the youngest British Olympic track gold medallist for almost 70 years when he ran the last leg for Britain’s 4x100 metres relay team in Athens, defeating the mighty Americans.

He later clinched relay bronzes in the 2005 and 2007 World Championships, but has suffered injury problems in more recent times, including an Achilles tendon operation last year which ruled him out of the Bejing Olympics.

Lewis-Francis said: “I’ve struggled with injuries, but it wasn’t my fault I couldn’t make the Olympics last year. The surgeon said it was out of the question and that was that.

“I love this sport and have given it everything, but I’ve been unlucky with injuries over the last few years.

‘‘But I know I can still get to the top if I’m given the chance.’’

The loss of UK Athletics financial support, believed to be worth up to £30,000 per year, was revealed on Wednesday.

Lewis-Francis said: “It was a big shock to the system. I’m surprised they haven’t left me some sort of lifeline and have cut me off completely.

“Not even having a medical is a big deal for athletes like me who have had injuries.

‘‘What is difficult to deal with is the fact they are no longer willing to support me. That hurts and I have to prioritise my two children now and their lives.”

Lewis-Francis, coached by former Olympic 100 metres champion Linford Christie, has faced controversy on and off the track over the last few years.

In 2002 he was arrested for a minor motoring offence at Birmingham International Airport as he returned from the European Indoor Championships. The sprinter spent a night in jail and was dealt with at court the following day where he received a £420 fine and was banned from driving for six months.

He tested positive for cannabis in 2005 after the European Indoor Championships in Madrid and was stripped of the 60 metres silver medal he had won at that event.

Under British Olympic Association rules that rendered him ineligible for selection to future Games.

But in 2006 UKA accepted that cannabis had not been taken to enhance performance and he was cleared to compete in future Olympics.