Despite winning nine gold medals in Budapest, British athletics was reminded yesterday by Diane Modahl that the situation on the home front is not quite so glittering. The 800 metres runner gave the bankrupt British Athletic Federation seven days to offer satisfactory compensation for banning her wrongly or face further legal action.
"I have instructed my lawyers that, in the absence of some sensible proposals from the BAF, the case has to continue and a trial date has to be fixed at the first possible opportunity," she said.
Yesterday marked the fourth anniversary of the Sale runner being sent home from the Commonwealth Games in Victoria after the BAF was informed she had tested positive for excessive testosterone. The case was later thrown out after she proved the Lisbon laboratory had slipped up.
She had to sell the family home to bankroll her case and is seeking £800,000 compensation. The BAF's administrators cannot pay other creditors until a settlement is reached with Modahl, 32.
"I am prepared to compromise but the ball is in their court," she said. "You have to remember it was me who was wronged. It was me who was shamed. It was me who was sent home from the Commonwealth Games and it was me who was not allowed my title."
The European 100m champion Darren Campbell faces strong opposition in Lausanne tonight. He won his title in 10.4sec, and today's field features the world 100m and 200m champion Maurice Greene, Ato Boldon and four others who have broken 10sec.
