An empty chair greeted the press gathered to hear Jon Brown talk about his attempt to qualify for the British Olympic Team after he declined to go on stage at the last minute. Refusing to wear either branded or unbranded clothing, his place was taken by Race Director David Bedford who gave one side of a saga which has rumbled on for the past few weeks.
"The rules stipulate that the clothing worn at our press conferences must be non-sports branded, apart from those sponsored by adidas, and with the sponsor's logo. We offered Jon the opportunity to wear a white unbranded T-shirt but he wouldn't accept our offer." said Bedford.
Bedford went on to explain the relationship between the athlete and the event.
"Jon made his debut in London in 1998 when he finished eighth. He followed this up with a fourth place the following year when he ran 2:09:44. This led to him being paid a larger sum to return in 2000. Unfortunately he withdrew but he returned in 2001 as the fourth placed athlete in the Olympics. This led to him being offered twice as much as he was offered in 2000 to run."
Bedford continued: "In 2001 Jon had the misfortune to pull out at halfway. However he broke his contract by heading straight to his hotel room before checking out. He was uncontactable, even by his coach, and refused to comment on his withdrawal. This was the worst behaviour that we at the marathon have ever come across."
The contract stipulates that a runner will only collect 50% of their appearance fee if they fail to finish, but because of the nature of Brown's drop-out he was offered 25% of his original fee, rising to 50% if a written apology was received. Several weeks later, following a conversation with Brown's agent, an apology was received and the remaining amount was paid in full.
This will be Brown's first London Marathon since the incident, having only applied to run four weeks ago, with his aim being to achieve the qualifying standard for the Olympic Team. However money has again become a factor.
Bedford explained: "I have a budget for the elite field of about $2 million. I overspend by 15% in the knowledge that athletes will drop out. Even Paul Tergat, the world record holder, dropping out doesn't bring me back into budget which leaves me with no participation money available. Jon was a late entry into the race which means I have been unable to offer him an appearance fee; however I did offer him money to appear at our press conference which was accepted."
Bedford also explained: "British bonuses are bigger than overseas athletes this year. There is an obvious incentive to run a fast time."
Brown's non-appearance at the conference means that he will have to run sub-2:15 not only to qualify for Athens but also qualify for a bonus and in this he has the full backing of Bedford. "I believe that we have dealt with this incident properly and professionally and I wish him the best of luck in qualifying for the team on Sunday. He is the only athlete we have ever had a dispute with in the 11 years I have been working with the event."
Former London Marathon winner and British Record holder Steve Jones was also on stage to give his opinion on the state of British distance running. Joking that he had no problem with wearing the branded shirt, Jones said: "I feel a bit sorry for Jon - the last few days must have been traumatic. Hopefully he'll concentrate on the race and push for qualification."
Jones, who won in a then course record of 2:08:16 in 1985, is now based in Colorado and admits that he has never been approached to give his advice on training and running times which no British runner has approached since 1997. His impression from afar though is that while British runners are trying hard, they don't necessarily have the mileage in their legs from years of intense running.
"I was 28 when I ran the world record in 1984, whereas now you've got guys running the 10,000m and the marathon from the age of 18. Plus we used to travel the length and breadth of the country to race each other but these guys don't seem to race half as much."
Injury plays a large part in that. Both Matt O'Dowd and Mark Steinle are promising talents who have been plagued by injury over the last couple of years while Brown too has had a frustrating time since his fourth place in Sydney.
"Jon is still the best runner in Britain based on his Olympic run and his recent performance as second European in the World Cross Country, but times are much slower nowadays. I know they're trying hard but maybe they're trying to be the best in all walks of life. If you want to get to the top you have to be focussed entirely on the sport."
On the lack of quality British runners in London for the past two years, Jones commented: "This is still a domestic race and was started with that in mind. There are some of the top runners in the world invited but it is promoted worldwide as a British event. Of course it's disappointing. It really is hard for them to aspire to a more achievable goal than simply getting to the Olympics at the moment."
Brown has said that he will run 2:14:59, the bare minimum to qualify, if needs be. That time is less than 30 seconds faster than Paula's world record figures set last year. If he is true to his word then yet again we are faced with the prospect of no British male finishing in the top ten.