British sprinter Adam Gemili has hit out at the media following his exit in the heats of the 200m at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon last night.
The former European champion finished fourth in his heat clocking 20.60s, missing out on one of the three automatic qualifying spots to the semi-finals and a fastest non automatic qualifier spot.
Gemili instantly gave his reaction to BBC Sport's Sarah Mulkerrins and blasted the press for its coverage of the ongoing relationship between him and his coach Rana Reider.
Adam Gemili: British sprinter reacts to bad press
Reider is currently under investigation following sexual misconduct claims. The American coach gained unauthorised access to the warm-up area in Eugene on Saturday night before the 100m final and was apprehended by police who warned him not to return or he would be arrested for trespassing.
After the allegations emerged last year, UK Athletics warned Gemili to cease contact with Reider and threatened to withdraw support for him through their world-class programme if he failed to comply.
The 28-year-old Londoner decided to remain part of Reider's setup and was stripped of up to £28,000 in lottery funding.
He has faced increased scrutiny from the British media for continuing his association with his coach.
"This year I've taken a battering and it's showing," he said.
"There's been a lot of bad press around my setup and me and it's been relentless. Every week there's been something and it's just taken its toll."
"I'm a lot better than 20.60s, I've shown that before but mentally it's been very, very tough this year to keep my focus and not over-stress."
Tweeting afterwards Gemili said he "shouldn't" have commented on the press.
Apologises for my performance out there. No excuse other than I wasn’t good enough. The blame is on me. I also shouldn’t have made comments about the press when interviewed. I do understand they have a job to do but it’s just been a lot to deal and hope you can understand that
— Adam Gemili (@Adam_Gemili) July 19, 2022
Reacting afterwards BBC pundit Colin Jackson said that Adam Gemili should leave his current setup:
"As an athlete you want no distractions going into major competitions, your only distraction should be your opponents. There's been such a flow of information...it's been so complicated and complex. I think as an athlete sometimes you feel responsible for the situation."
"He should have the conversation with the coach and himself and say that this is just not working at this moment in time, pass that on and then go."
