Local Front Street Mile champion Sheldon Thompson has renewed his attack on the sport?s governing body, accusing them of favouritism and holding back top runners

And he?s also repeated his call for national coach Gerry Swan to quit.

Thompson, who finally claimed the Mile crown on Friday after six runner-up finishes, has chosen to use his turn in the media spotlight to attack Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA).

And the 800 metre specialist will now be hanging up his spikes at the end of this running season at the relatively tender age of 29, fed up with the way the sport is run.

?I feel that my career has not been what it should have been,? said Thompson, who spent six years in the national programme, where he had trips with the national squad to Puerto Rico, Boston and the Bahamas in 1997.

?I put in the hours, I did the training that was asked of me, but I was still not given the opportunities. They move the goalposts.

?When the qualifying time was 1.56.6 for the 800 metres, I did it in 1.55.6. And then they moved it down to 1.54. But the same year a 5,000 metre runner missed out on the qualifying time by 30 seconds and still got in.

?There is out and out favouritism in the BTFA and that is no good for the youngsters. Where else do you have to work within the national programme to be selected to represent your country?

?What I say, I am saying for myself. But I know there are some top runners who are unhappy with the way things are run, but they still want to compete and don?t want to be seen to be rocking the boat. They have too much to lose.

?I have nothing to lose now because I have done my time and not got back out of the sport here what I put in.

?I think it is time for Swan to go as he is not producing the goods in terms of athletic success and he looks after his favourites at the expense of Bermuda?s best sporting interests.?

In a personal attack on coach Swan, he described an incident where he had run in the May 24 Marathon Derby while in the national programme without Swan?s permission.

When turning up for training the following week, Swan refused to train him despite an apology, Thompson claimed, telling the track athlete to ?come back when you are serious?.

He added that, like other athletes, his prize cheque from last year?s International Race Weekend bounced three times before he finally received his winnings in November. understands some overseas athletes didn?t receive their winnings from last year?s events for up to nine months.

But BTFA president Judith Simmons hit back at Thompson?s claims.

?Gerry Swan does not pick the teams, the Board does,? she said.

?And the Board also has the power to overturn any decisions that are made. We stand by Gerry absolutely. These claims by Sheldon are unjustified.?

In reference to his claim of being left out of a team after meeting the qualifying standard, Simmons said: ?Based on the competition we are entering, we revise the standard to ensure that our athletes have a chance of reaching the finals.

?If there are faster times by other competitors, we will alter our qualifying times accordingly to make sure only the athletes who will be competitive take part.

?This has all been explained to Sheldon.?