COLCHESTER'S international race walker Dominic King says it is 'farcical' that he has been controversially overlooked for the European Athletics Championships.

The two-time Olympian had been expecting to represent Great Britain in the men's 35km Race Walk event, after meeting the necessary selection criteria.

However, despite meeting the qualifying entry standard, the Colchester Harriers member has been overlooked by British Athletics for the major event, which starts in Munich later this week.

King, who was also overlooked for the Tokyo Olympics despite meeting the qualifying standard, has accused British Athletics of not caring about race walking.

In a statement on social media, King said: "Yet again I have not been selected for another major Athletics Championships (which I have duly earned the right to compete in for my country).

"British Athletics have chosen not to select me to race in the forthcoming European Athletics Championships.

"Despite meeting the qualifying entry standard, I somehow still do not earn my right to put on my nations vest.

"I feel the need to report, once again the serious failings within the British Athletics selection process and the farcical situation that some athletes face with trying to reach the start line.

"It seems that the selection is based on who you are rather than your actual performances.

"I can accept when I have not met a qualifying standard not to be taken but in this situation that threshold was met.

"British Athletics have shown themselves to clearly have no respect for athletes like myself with no correspondence with either myself or my coach to check in with how my training is progressing, my competition plans or any support to help us progress to the next level.

 

"British Athletics publicly states that it is all about the athlete and wants to develop the relationship they have with the coaches and athletes.

"To this day, neither my coach nor myself have received any communication to this affect."

King, who previously competed for Team GB at the Rio and London Olympic Games, has argued that the decision is unfair as he has met the criteria, only to be overlooked for selection.

The Colchester Harriers athlete is hugely disappointed with the decision to leave him out of the squad and feels race walking is being neglected by British Athletics.

He added: "British Athletics is a toxic governing body and fails to learn from its previous errors.

"I am passionate about standing up for wrongdoings and to try to help change these for the better moving forward.

"I have previously contacted British Athletics to offer my feedback regarding my experience of the selection process. I am still waiting to hear from them.

"British Athletics appear not to care about race walking.

"For many years race walking along with the throws events has been treated as an inferior part of athletics.

"There is zero communication with athletes such as myself about what support we need to grow, not only ourselves but the event as a whole."

British Athletics declined to comment when asked for a response by the Gazette.