Athletics: IAAF's world indoor plan under attack

THE Great Britain selectors yesterday named the first 13 athletes to compete in the World Indoor Championships in Maebashi, Japan, on 5 to 7 March.

But the UK performance director, Max Jones, said he is unhappy that tough qualification criteria in the field events will deny up-and-coming athletes the chance to gain valuable experience. "The International Amateur Athletic Federation... want straight finals in the field events with just eight or nine athletes competing. I think it's a flawed plan," he said.

Substantial additions to the team are likely to be made at the final selection meeting on 24 February.

The former Olympic decathlon champion Daley Thompson heads a group of "golden oldies" who are set to make a track comeback in a 60m sprint challenge at the Bupa Indoor Grand Prix at Birmingham on 14 February.

GB squad, Digest, page 23