Athletics: Murray mix-up embarrasses selectors

BRITAIN'S selectors were embarrassed yesterday after picking Yvonne Murray for the wrong European Cup event. The world indoor and European champion had only agreed to run in Rome if she was selected for the 1500 metres, but was chosen for her specialist 3,000m event instead.

The selectors, however, quickly averted a potentially damaging row by switching Murray back to the 1500. Alison Wyeth, the original choice for the metric mile, will now take Murray's place in the longer event - another embarrassment for the selectors because the 3,000 is the event Wyeth wanted to run in the first place.

Tony Ward, the British Athletic Federation spokesman, admitted that Murray's wishes had not been passed on from the BAF to the selectors.

The error became clear after the selectors were criticised for selecting Kriss Akabusi in the 400m hurdles. There were complaints from Gary Oakes, who coaches the overlooked Gary Cadogan.

John Regis is to make an attempt on the world 300m record during the Pearl International Games in Belfast on Saturday. The current mark of 31.48sec is held jointly by the American Danny Everett and Cuba's Roberto Hernandez.

Linford Christie will race in Scotland next month for the first time since his Olympic gold in Barcelona. He runs in the 100m in the TSB Challenge match, Great Britain v the United States, at Meadowbank on 2 July.

Michael Johnson has decided he wants to run the 400m in the World Championships in Stuttgart in August and will press his claims in the US trials at Eugene, Oregon, on Friday.