A WELL-known athletics coach who has lived in Africa says Zimbabwean asylum seeker Williard Chinhanhu will certainly be killed if he is forced to return to his homeland.

Jim Bailey from Christchurch, who has coached numerous African athletes, including the best of Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, has good grounds for concern. The last Zimbabwean athlete he coached was "disappeared" into the army for daring to oppose Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.

Mr Bailey said: "When I was in Addis Ababa the head Zimbabwean coach asked me if I could advise a 19-year-old athlete called Tendeai Chimusasa, a personal friend of Williard.

"He was wearing tatty old trainers and a white vest which had the word Zimbabwe written on because he had not been given any proper kit. He went on to finish seventh in the Atlanta Olympics in the marathon and carried the flag for Zimbabwe.

"At one point he was supposed to come and stay with me but I got a message to say he had to go back to Zimbabwe because his mother was ill. He was arrested at the airport and put straight in to the army. His mother had not been ill. It was a lie.

"That was the end of his running career and it was the last I have heard from him."

He added: "If Williard goes back they will be buying a coffin for him. There will probably be some men in shades waiting for him at the airport and a few weeks later he will have been involved in a car crash and the police will claim that he was drunk."

He added: "I hope that Williard will be allowed to stay because he would be a great asset for the country's distance running at a time when British men's athletics is at an all time low."

Just days after gaining a three-month reprieve from being deported to Zimbabwe, Mr Chinhanhu was back in Dorset on Sunday running in the Sturminster Newton half-marathon and was surrounded by well wishers from local running clubs.

Mr Chinhanhu said: "I would like to come back to Poole because the people have been very kind to me there.

"But at the moment I am living in Luton because that is where I have to report to the police."

First published: August 11, 2005