Controversy for in-form Denmark

Athletics

Athletics

Controversy for in-form Denmark

Rob Denmark sprinted to victory in the Bupa international 5,000m road race at Portsmouth yesterday - then defended his decision not to run for Britain in the European Cup next month. Denmark has ruled himself out for the second successive year - and expects to face the flak again. But he is adamant that he is not prepared to jeopardise his chances at the World Championships in August. The 26-year-old Basildon runner, who proved his point in 1994 by going on to win Commonwealth gold and European silver, said: "I just hope people will understand. I can't run every race." At the end of yesterday's race Denmark out-sprinted the world cross-country champion, Paul Tergat of Kenya, who had picked himself up and battled back into contention after falling heavily when leading the field at the 2,000m mark.