No Rio for Martelletti

ATHLETICS: Marathon runner Paul Martelletti has lost his appeal against Athletics New Zealand’s decision not to select him for next month’s Rio Olympics.

Despite twice going under under the Olympic qualifying standard (2hrs 19min), once in the Gold Coast and again in the London Marathon, Martelletti was not on the team sheet when ANZ announced their squad earlier this month.

Martelletti, the only Kiwi male to go under the Olympic qualifying standard, appealed against ANZ’s decision through the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand. Yesterday, the tribunal dismissed his appeal.

‘‘It’s a real pity for Paul. He’s very disappointed,’’ Martelletti’s lawyer, Daniel Kalderimis, said.

He did not meet ANZ’s B qualifying standard of 2hr 14min. It also has the expectation runners selected are capable of a top 16 finish. Martelletti appealed the decision based on nomination criteria not being properly applied, and that there was no proper or reasonable basis for Athletics New Zealand’s decision.

‘‘Martelletti was ill in the London Marathon . . . but the tribunal wasn’t prepared to make theoretical adjustments to his time and instead went with Athletics New Zealand’s advice that he wasn’t capable of a top 16 finish,’’ Kalderimis said.

‘‘We presented statistics that world rankings and previous results aren’t as predicative in marathons as shorter distances such as the 800m, but again the tribunal preferred to refer to advice from Athletics NZ.’’

Martelletti, who is from Manawatu but is now based in London, attended the hearing remotely on Tuesday.