Greek federation Segas suspends athletics because of spending cuts 
 
 Greece's athletics federation (Segas) has suspended domestic events because of severe spending cuts in the country. 
 
 The governing board of Segas has stopped all track and field activity until cuts to funding are reviewed by the country's government. 
 
 The suspension will not affect Greece's representation in this summer's Olympic Games in London or the Olympic flame lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia. 
 
 Greece has faced the threat of bankruptcy since 2009. 
 
 In a statement the federation said it had decided to suspend events "until the decisions of the unfair and selective cuts" are reviewed by the government. 
 
 On Tuesday, Segas president Vassilis Secastis said coaching staff and suppliers had not been paid for months because of funding reductions. 
 
 All competition is now suspended until funding cuts are reconsidered including a meet planned for 12 May. 
 
 Although the suspension does not currently affect international competitions, the federation could toughen its stance if the government fails to respond. 

 The Greek athletics federation has suspended all domestic sporting activities saying there is no money to pay coaches and staff. 
 
 There are now fears that unless budget cuts are reversed, Greece's participation in the London Olympics could be under threat. 
 
 Mark Lowen reports from Athens.
– The birthplace of the Olympics might no longer be able to afford participation in the games. Crushing austerity measures mean there's not enough state funds to pay coaches and training staff, so Greece's Athletic Federation is now suspending all domestic track and field events until the government coughs up some euros. Sports officials say the move won't affect participation in the London Olympics or in the torch-lighting ceremony—for now. That could change if some funding isn't restored, notes the BBC. Olympic athletes are worried. "Everything is coming undone," says champion hammer-thrower Alexandra Papageorgiou. The sports system has been so decimated by the economy that "when you live here you don't really feel like a competitive athlete," she adds. "I've lived through the best moments of Greek athletics, and now I'm living through the worst." A member of Greece's women's water polo team, one of the strongest in years, is worried everything "will fall apart."