"It's heartbreaking and so wrong"; "Decision is disgraceful"- Fans express their displeasure following Phil Norman's exclusion from Paris Olympics

Fans recently expressed their disapproval following Phil Norman's exclusion from the Paris Olympics after narrowly missing the qualification standard. Norman voiced his discontent towards British Athletics after falling short of 0.15 seconds off the UK Athletics standard for Paris.

At the 2024 British Athletics Championships, he secured the lead with 8:18.65 in the 3000m steeplechase and was invited by the World Athletics. However, he was denied the Olympic opportunity by British Athletics, citing the 0.15-second shortfall from the qualifying standard.

Only 20 days before the Paris Olympics, he expressed his disappointment in the governing body and wrote:

"I am proud of my career, I am proud of our achievements, I am disappointed in our governing body. I ask you all to share this to raise awareness and protect our future athletes."

Disheartened fans voiced their frustration and penned words of encouragement for the 34-year-old as one of them wrote:

"It's heartbreaking and so wrong. Sorry this happened to you, again, man. You don't deserve this."

Another fan simply criticized the British Athletics decision and wrote,

"This decision is disgraceful."

Reflection on past opportunities snatched away from Norman, including the 2022 World Championships and Commonwealth Games, a fan wrote,

"To have been denied so many times is just awful."

Here are a few more reactions:

"Heartbreaking. Time and time again athletes have been let down by the governing federation," expressed a fan.

"Tough, and feel for you Phil. Pleased that you are proud, you should be," another fan wrote.

"Couldn’t be prouder of you mate, hopefully you taking a stand and pushing for change will make a difference, don’t give up," one of the fans conveyed.

Phil Norman defeated Will Battershill and Zak Seddon, who posted 8:21.83 and 8:27.32, respectively at the 2024 British Athletics Championships.

"I thought there is unfinished business here" - Phil Norman made a return to the sport during the 2020 Olympic season after reading Mo Farah's autobiography

Phil Norman in action at the UK Athletics Championship in Manchester

Phil Norman hung up his spikes to bid adieu to the sport after competing for 10 years, only to later realize his unchanging love.

It wasn't until he read Mo Farah's autobiography that he decided to step back on the track. Norman started honing his skills under Tomaž Pliberšek in 2018. In a past interview with the Independent, he reflected on the challenging period, highlighting Farah's autobiography that filled him with inspiration to make a return.

"I realised that I’d spent so much of my life, 10 years, sacrificing other things and that I wasn’t enjoying it, so I stopped and I didn’t know if I would ever run again," he said.

"I started getting fed up with that as not many people took it seriously and I needed more of a challenge. Mo Farah’s book was bringing up old memories too and I thought there is unfinished business here and I just can’t leave it any longer," he added.

Phil Norman recorded a time of 8:46.57 to settle in 13th place in the heats at the Tokyo Olympics, missing a spot for the final. This was his only appearance at the prestigious sporting event.