Britain’s marathon star Chris Thompson is devastated after missing the World Athletics Championships in Oregon due to visa complications while dozens of competitors struggle to enter the United States
- Runner Chris Thompson missed the IAAF World Championships
- He was devastated after failing to obtain a US visa in time for the competition
- The 41-year-old is not alone as hundreds of athletes have battled to get in
- He admitted, “It should never have come to this and it’s hard to believe it has come to this.”
British marathoner Chris Thompson was absolutely devastated when he missed the IAAF World Championships in Eugene. Oregonafter failing to obtain an American visa in time for the competition.
Dozens of competitors are fighting to get visas to the United States, with the blockade threatening to prevent around 100 athletes, coaches and officials from entering the country for the event, which begins later on Friday.
UK Athletics (UKA) said on Friday: “UKA have been in close contact with World Athletics and have enlisted help from World Athletics British government to solve a last minute heist.
Britain’s Chris Thompson was devastated to miss the World Athletics Championships
“However, due to the close proximity of the marathon on Sunday, July 17, Thompson is unable to travel and compete at this time.”
Thompson, a former European Championships silver medalist, admitted he was devastated at missing out.
“I’ll never know what could have been, but I had high expectations for myself,” he said.
The marathon runner did not manage to get an American visa in time for the competition
“It should never have gotten that far and it’s hard to believe,” said the 41-year-old.
Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa’s fastest man, faced a significant delay processing his visa before being granted last-minute approval.
He now faces a race against time to reach Eugene ahead of Friday’s 100m.
