Moses return 'a joke'

Ed Moses, the greatest 400metres hurdler in history, was today ridiculed for announcing a comeback at 48.

The double Olympic champion, who retired in 1989 after a career in which he recorded a 122-race unbeaten run, hopes to qualify for the American trials for next year's Olympics.

But IAAF vice-president Helmut Digel said: "It's a joke. What is he coming back as, a marathon runner?"

IAAF general secretary Istvan Gyulai added: "I don't believe he has any chance. It would be a miracle if he did anything near the times from his best days."

Moses said his comeback would not be "full-scale" and denied it was financially motivated.