'It isn't about the money; it's about getting a fair trial' - Alexandra Bell accuses British Athletics coaches

An athlete denied National Lottery funding has launched a withering attack on UK Athletics’ under-fire head of endurance after losing her appeal against the ruling.

Alexandra Bell blamed her omission from British Athletics’ Olympic World Class Programme on Barry Fudge, whose links with the disgraced coach Alberto Salazar were questioned last month.

Bell, who this year ran a personal best in the 800 metres and reached the semi-finals of the World Championships, tweeted: “Thanks again British Athletics for not believing in me for this very important year ahead.

“Why doesn’t that surprise me. The only one who hits the criteria yet again and missed off another one of Barry Fudge’s lists.. SHOCK.

“Let’s keep it simple, for as long as he’s in this organisation I’m just never going to get a chance. Note.. this isn’t a post about the money, it’s about getting a fair trial and the criteria and policies AGAIN being dismissed. I placed an appeal regarding my non-selection and have this morning been told it has to be rejected which doesn’t come as a surprise considering I was denied the minutes from the meeting.”

She added: “The wolf at the top of the hill is NEVER as hungry as the one climbing. Thank you to the special ones in my life who have helped me on my journey so far, you know who you are.

“In the meantime... I do my hair toss, check my nails.”

It is the second time in just over a year Bell has taken to social media to rail against a decision against her by British Athletics after she also missed out on selection for last summer’s European Championships.

The 27-year-old was overlooked in favour of Shelayna Oskan-Clarke and Adelle Tracey, despite having run quicker than them in the build-up.

She claimed the decision had been based on “the personal opinions and predictions of the ‘professionals and experts’ on the selection board... not the actual selection criteria itself with BA dismissing the selection policy altogether”.

Bell’s latest post was endorsed by other current and former athletes, including world shot-put finalist Sophie McKinna, who snubbed Lottery funding in favour of juggling two part-time jobs with training for next summer’s Olympics.

She wrote: “This is crazy! One of the reasons why I didn’t want to be involved. Never mind the general election, athletics in Britain is the most political thing you’ll come across this year!!!!”

Olympic medalist Marilyn Okoro, who threatened to quit athletics after being denied the chance to run the 800m at London 2012 and lost her own funding shortly after, wrote: “BA is a sinking ship… you have totally got this!!”

A spokesman for UKA said it did not comment on individual selection decisions, while a source insisted the only thing withheld from affected athletes was the identity of individual panel members who might otherwise not speak openly and freely.

Fudge was the point of contact between UKA and the Nike Oregon Project, which was shut down after Salazar was banned for doping offences.

There was no evidence in the ruling against him to suggest Fudge had been aware of Salazar’s offending but UKA last month announced an independent review into its relationship with the American after it previously cleared Sir Mo Farah to work with him.