British Athletics investigate claims Butchart cheated Covid test

The runner claimed he had falsified a PCR test.

British Athletics investigate claims Butchart cheated Covid test SNS Group

British Athletics are investigating claims Andrew Butchart faked a covid test to allow him to return to the UK after an international event.

The 5000m runner alleged suggested on a podcast that he had not followed the strict protocols when returning from a meet. The Scot later retracted his claims and the podcast has subsequently been deleted.

Butchart is one of 12 Scottish athletes selected for the Tokyo Olympics, but his place is now under review.   

A UK Athletics spokesperson told STV: “UKA and the British Olympic Association are aware of comments made as part of a podcast by a selected athlete today. 

“Throughout the pandemic elite sport has been privileged to receive exemptions from various guidelines to enable athletes to continue to train and compete.

“We take very seriously any suggestion that an athlete has not followed these guidelines correctly and broken any COVID-related protocols.

“As a result, this selection will stand subject to further investigation by UK Athletics. No further comment will be made until this investigation is concluded.”

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