Athletics boss calls for break

Fewer countries are sending four senior teams

By BBC Sport Online's John Haughey

An athletics boss responsible for organising the World Cross Country Championships has called for the event to be held every two years rather than annually.

Chris Wall, who was championship director of this weekend's event in Leopardstown, Ireland, believes that the time has come to spread out the competitions.

"I'm not sure having the event every year is the best way to promote cross country," he told BBC Sport Online.

"Maybe the event should take place every other year, with the area championships such as the Europeans taking place in the other year."

Wall, who is also the international secretary of Athletics Ireland, is concerned that many countries are unable to compete in every event.

"We're one of the few countries that, since the two-day World Cross Country event started, has sent teams to all four senior races," said Wall.

"There are fewer and fewer countries doing that."