Chris Thompson ruled out of World Athletics Championships due to US visa delay

Top British marathon hope Chris Thompson has been ruled out of the World Athletics Championships due to "significant delays" in processing his US visa application, .

UK Athletics confirmed today that the 41-year old is one of hundreds of international athletes understood to be affected by delays, with more than 20 already refused entry to the meet which starts this evening.

“I'm absolutely devastated I won't be in Eugene to compete," said the Barrow-in-Furness star. "This was my major aim for the year and had prepared well for it.

"I'll never know what might have been, but I had high expectations of myself going out. It should never have got to this point and It's hard to believe it has.

GB & NI Team Leader Paula Dunn spoke of her sadness at the news, adding: “We are gutted that Chris will miss the Worlds as he has worked incredibly hard to be in a position to race here.”

The situation is an embarrassment to organisers and World Athletics, whose boss Seb Coe vowed lessons would be learned.

Athletes from around the world took to social media to flag up their own problems ahead of the first World Championships to be held in the United States.

US track legend Michael Johnson tweeted: “This would never happen in a truly professional sport.”

Renee Washington, chief operating officer for USA Track & Field, admitted she would not be satisfied “unless we have 100 per cent of athletes here” but then said "that is not something that we will probably be able to achieve".

The problem has partly been caused by World Athletics leaving the window for qualification open until very close to the start to give athletes every chance coming out of Covid.

That in turn has meant many having to start the visa application process relatively