JOHN DOWNES and David Burke were last night reinstated in the Irish team by BLE for next week's world cross country championships in Cape Town. The growing dispute was resolved late last night with a statement from BLE president Michael McKeon.
Downes and Burke had participated in races of distances in excess of that recommended by the selectors and were ruled out of the team at the beginning of this week. The BLE statement read:
"BLE is happy to announce the resolution of the difficulties in relation to the 1996 world cross country championships. Having received assurances from the athletes concerned of their commitment to represent Ireland when selected in accordance with conditions laid down by BLE in future, the president, in consultation with the officers and selectors, has agreed the reinstatement of John Downes of London Irish and David Burke of Mullingar." Earlier, yesterday, Cormac Finnerty withdrew from the team in support of Downes and Burke. Finnerty's defection would have been a serious blow, as it would have robbed the team of two of the top three finishers in the recent national championships. Presumably, Finnerty will now revoke his decision.
Reports that the top 12 finishers in Santry were also boycotting the team were not substantiated. The decision by BLE represents a climbdown by the association.
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