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Olympic Marathoner Takes Stand Against Pay-to-Play Policy

British distance runner Ben Connor, who represented Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has made headlines by declining his selection for the European Road Running Championships after UK Athletics (UKA) requested athletes contribute up to £1,100 for competition expenses.

The Controversial Selection Policy

Key points:

• UKA's policy requires athlete contributions for:
  • Travel and accommodation
  • Team staff costs
  • Competition kit
  • Food and nutrition
• Estimated actual costs recently reduced to "under £500"
• England Athletics offering partial subsidies

Connor, 32, expressed his frustration on Instagram:

"Representing GB shouldn't come down to who can or cannot afford to pay for it... Coming from a working class background I don't like the potential precedent being set where people, especially junior athletes of the future, don't have the same opportunities because of finances."

UKA's Defense of the Policy

The governing body stated:

• The European Road Running Championships (April 2023 in Leuven) are a new addition to the competition calendar
• With over 50 annual events, full funding is "impossible"
• Home nations may provide additional subsidies
• Alternative was not sending a team at all

Wider Industry Reaction

Olympic silver medalist Hannah England commented:

"£20m of UK Sport funding goes to UK Athletics and it then asks athletes to pay to compete. That does not look like a good narrative... But that funding is audited and has to go towards producing Olympic medals."

Financial Breakdown of Other Events

The Bigger Picture

• UK Sport's "no compromise" funding focuses on Olympic medal potential
• New competitions struggle for funding
• Rising costs impacting athlete participation
• Calls for greater financial transparency in athletics governance

Connor concluded:

"I wish there was more transparency about how our sport is being managed for this to be the position."

What do you think about athletes being asked to pay to represent their country? Share your views in the comments.