Collins respects athletes' choices
UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins has emphasised athletes should be allowed to make their own decisions when major championships clash.
Nathan Morgan and Nathan Douglas have opted to compete at the World Indoor Championships rather than travel to the Commonwealth Games, although the pair would both have been medal contenders in Melbourne.
Their absence in Australia will almost certainly affect Team England’s tally of podium places in what is forecast to be a keenly-contested competition.
But their decision to represent the Norwich Union GB side at the world indoors in Moscow, which finish seven days earlier, has prevented the pair from doubling up.
Collins said: “Like every other individual they had to make a tough decision at a time where there are two major competitions taking place at almost the same time.
“The choice is theirs and I’m sure being coached and advised by Ted King, a thoroughbred senior UK athletics performance manager, they have made the one that suits them best.
“Different people have different attitudes to what they wish to achieve, but we must remember this is an individual sport and athletes must be respected for the choices they make.”
