ES Views Letter of the Day: Where are the next British track stars?
Despite sell-out crowds at the IAAF World Championships and thunderous support for the British competitors, our athletes have failed to impress.
Medal prospects have simply not emerged on the big stage before a home crowd. After the 2012 Olympics in London Sebastian Coe talked about a “legacy” and “the inspiration of a generation” but neither is in evidence. Indeed, fewer British athletes are achieving even personal bests at these championships.
The goal of achieving six to eight medals now looks a forlorn hope and it will be left to the unpredictability of the relay squads and our sole great performer, Sir Mo Farah, to fly the Union Jack with pride.
Regrettably, this could be the last time the London Stadium is full for an athletics event as the poster athletes, such as Usain Bolt or Jessica Ennis-Hill, won’t be there. The sport is crying out for new stars — but it appears we don’t have them.
Claude Keith
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