Olympics: Barcelona '92: British coaches are angered by limited access: Organisers disrupt athletes' plans while two longest jumps in history are outlawed

BRITAIN'S leading athletes were dealt a significant blow yesterday when 40 personal coaches were denied the accreditation they had sought for the Olympic Games.

The Games organisers said that in the interests of security the coaches would be allowed no access to the warm-up area, the Olympic village or the stadium, and access to training sites would be limited to one venue near the main arena. The athletes will now have to rely upon the 10 British team coaches in Barcelona, who will have access to all areas.

Those personal coaches affected by the decision, which came just four days before the Games begin here, include Ron Roddan, coach to Linford Christie, Mike Whittingham (Roger Black and Kriss Akabusi), John Trower (Steve Backley and Mick Hill), Brian Roberts (Tessa Sanderson), Tommy Boyle (Yvonne Murray and Tom McKean), John Isaacs (Tony Jarrett) and Peter McColgan (Liz McColgan).

'This has come as a bombshell,' Roberts said. 'There are a lot of athletes out there who are going to be affected now. I think it's abysmal. It's the last thing you want in preparation for the Olympic Games. The training and warm-up areas and the village are the only places where the coach is any use at all. It is the psychological side of things that is so important. It has a settling effect on an athlete to know their coach is there ready to sort out upsets prior to their event. How can the British Board let this situation arise right at the last minute when people have made such efforts?

'I had taken time off work and sent a cheque for my accomodation, and Tessa had bought the tickets for our flight on Sunday. I have been told I could still watch from the stand but I don't want to be a spectator. I want to finish off the job I started with Tessa.'

Trower reacted to the news phlegmatically. 'My experience tells me that you can't plan anything for major events like this. But I think it is very sad. It is the biggest competition in the world, and when we are talking about elite athletes, potential medallists, we should be giving them a 110 per cent chance. Now we are missing about 20 per cent. People are very well-meaning, but with no disrespect to the official team coaches out in Barcelona, they won't know what Steve wants to do prior to competing. It is a question of having someone around you who knows exactly what you want.'

It is the first time access has been restricted at a major championships since personal coaches began getting official accreditations just over 10 years ago.

Frank Dick, Britain's director of coaching, said the decision had come after long negotiations with the Barcelona organisers and it had nothing to do with athletics.

'I keep running up against the same argument. They are terrified of security problems. What was stuck down my throat was the response that if athletics got these accreditations then every sport would have to have them. Which is stupid, because most other sports don't have the same requirements.

'It has always been a case of bashing away until the last minute before major championships. Up until now, it's worked. A late decision was made at the last Olympics to grant access to the warm-up area. And we solved the problem at the last European Championships in Split by having 30 personal coaches using 10 transferable passes.

'I'm not happy with the fact that this has happened, but I have always said that there would be no guarantee that the coaches would get what they wanted. The Americans have had the same request from 100 coaches turned down.'

Peter Elliott revealed yesterday that he had made himself available as a late selection to the Great Britain squad, but was told there was no chance of gaining a place in the 1500 metres because Matthew Yates had proved his fitness. Elliott said his fitness had improved markedly since he had pulled out because of a hamstring injury.

Olympic countdown, page 31

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