Anderson appeal to McColgan

Athletics

John Anderson, the new Scottish team manager, yesterday said he will "move heaven and earth" to ensure Liz McColgan runs at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

McColgan has said she would not represent her country because of a long- standing rift with Anderson, her former coach. "Competing for Scotland is far more important than any personal differences she might have with me," Anderson said.

"I want to make it clear to her I have no differences with her at all. I feel no sense of antagonism, quite the reverse. I have admiration for her as a runner."

Anderson said that he would be as flexible as he could in accommodating the former world champion's wishes, even if it meant not speaking with one another in Malaysia and McColgan living outside the Games village.

"I have no problems whatsoever with any arrangements that make Liz feel comfortable. If I felt something like that would help, then I would be pushing very hard to persuade the team management to accept it."