Athletics / World Athletics Championships: Morceli makes peace

THE cat and mouse game between the world 1500 metres champion, Noureddine Morceli, and the International Amateur Athletic Federation appeared to have come to an end yesterday when the Algerian's agent, Amar Brahmia, announced that Morceli would, after all, compete in the World Championships, writes Mike Rowbottom from Stuttgart.

Morceli had threatened to boycott because athletes were not being paid prize- money. 'Noureddine will come to the championships,' Brahmia said. 'I had a talk with Primo Nebiolo (the IAAF president) for 45 minutes on Sunday and the result was very positive.'

A senior IAAF official confirmed that Morceli had decided to run in the event, which has its first round on Thursday. He maintained that no money had been offered to the Algerian.