Front Street Mile champion Sheldon Thompson will defend his adult male title on Friday ? despite announcing his retirement immediately after last year?s victory.

Thompson used his first-place finish in 2004 as a platform to launch a stinging attack on the sport?s governing body.

The 30-year-old described his victory after six runner-up finishes as ?bitter-sweet? and announced that it was to be his last Front Street Mile, blaming Bermuda Track and Field Association for his decision to call it a day.

?This is it for me now,? he said at the time. ?I have certain issues with the way the programme is being run there. I am wasting my time now.

?The problems with the BTFA run far deeper than people realise. I know the way things are going there is no future for me now. They only discourage you.

?I worry for the kids coming through now ? I just can?t see an avenue for them.?

But despite those comments, Thompson has made a sporting U-turn and will make a return to the popular Friday night race ? and is looking for a second victory despite only six weeks of serious training.

?I have thought about it a lot and I am going to go for it again, I still think I have something left in me and I want to do it for myself,? said Thompson, whose outburst infuriated BTFA officials last year, who feared the negative publicity while so many overseas athletes were on the Island would harm the event?s international standing.

?My last competitive race was May 24 and I was going to quit athletics after that. But as the year has gone on, I?ve realised that I still have some running left in me and I wanted to give it another go.

?I have been training really seriously for the last six weeks but feel I am at a level where I can win this again ? that is the aim this week.?

The 800 metre specialist, who spent six years in the national programme and competed in Puerto Rico, Boston and the Bahamas for his country, has previously accused the BTFA of favouritism and holding back top runners. He has also called for national coach Gerry Swan to quit.