Team England bosses have defended going into Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games next month without two of Britain’s fastest-ever 100 metre runners, James Dasaolu and Chijindu Ujah.
Adam Gemili, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Richard Kilty will spearhead England’s 100m bid in Glasgow, in a 129-strong athletics squad confirmed yesterday.
Dasaolu has been overlooked despite recovering from hamstring problems, while Ujah’s 9.96 in Holland on June 8 fell outside the qualifying period.
Team leader Peter Stanley said omitting Dasaolu was the “only decision we could have made”, while conceding England were “stuck with” their early selection deadline due to administrative procedure.
“James was discussed, our selection process and criteria, we were looking at athletes with current form, running from January 1, 2014, up until June 2,” said Stanley on Dasaolu, who ran Britain’s second-fastest ever 100m last year, at 9.91.
“James hadn’t competed, during that period, over 100 metres.
“So it didn’t really leave us much room to nominate him, and he still hasn’t competed yet, so it’s the only decision we could have made.
“He is coming back from injury; I understand he is in good form, but now he’ll have more time to complete his training programme with his coach to be ready for the Euros.
“The Commonwealths are just a little bit too early for him I think.
“This way he’ll have (the) chance to compete, get some competitions under his belt, and come to a peak at the correct time for him.”