Athletes right to question odd Olympics criteria
As the Olympic Games begin, some of New Zealand’s leading track athletes have expressed their frustration at what they feel are unfair selection criteria that have denied them the opportunity to compete in Tokyo.
Looking at the background, my understanding is the International Olympic Committee have determined a maximum number of entries acceptable for each event, with respective countries limited to three athletes an event.
The entry limit is achieved by firstly selecting athletes who meet the event entry standard, then topping up the number with the highest-ranked athletes from the world ranking table.
The problem our athletes are unhappy with is they are subject to an added criterion of needing to be ranked in the top 16.
Looking at the athletes not selected because of the top-16 criterion, Zoe Hobbs, our fastest-ever women sprinter over 100 metres, did not achieve the entry standard, but her 59th world ranking would have allowed her to claim the 44th position in the 56-strong field.
Edward Osei-Nketia also did not achieve the entry standard, but his world ranking of 57 would have included him as the 49th entrant in the 100m.
Portia Bing, who had a world ranking of 42, would have been the 35th qualified athlete in the 400m hurdles field of 40 athletes.
I can see the frustrations these athletes are airing, especially when they see athletes rated below them competing in Tokyo.
Reports from last Saturday’s Athletic Manawatū Wanganui Cross Country Championships indicate the events were contested in wet and muddy conditions.
Feilding Moa were wellrepresented and figured prominently in the results.
The under-9 girls’ title went to Ashhurst’s Emma AvisonWoodhead. Joshua Addenbrooke won the boys’ title.
The under-11 boys’ winner was Fin Crofskey. Eva Holtslag won the girls’ title.
Will Sablerolle-Stone was first to finish the under-13 boys’ race. Sophie Crofskey was the first girl home. The under-16 men’s title went to Alec Bell. Courtney Fitzgibbon was the women’s winner.
Nelson Doolan claimed the under-18 title.
George Lambert, from Whanganui, broke the Moa dominance by winning the under20 men’s title. Stephanie Walker was the women’s winner.
The senior men’s title went to Damien Lardner.
In the masters section, titles went to Brendon Sharratt in the M35 and Mark Evans in the M40.
The M45 title went to Rob Conder and Andrew Davenport won the M50 title. Neil Mayo was the first M55 to finish. The M60 winner was Brian Dunne. Kevin Rolls won the M65 title.
In the women’s section, the W35 title went to Dorota Starzak, the W45 to Karis Rae, the W50 to Clare Scott, the W55 to Di Matthews, and the W60 to Nuala Dunne.
It is always good to see people who make a valuable contribution to our sport recognised, so I was delighted to see Athletics Wellington have made Mark Harris a life member.
Harris, who is based in the Wairarapa, works closely with us in Palmerston North, with his expertise in electronic timing being put to good use. He is the driving force in establishing the winter track series and a lecturer in coach training.
A reminder the Athletics NZ Foundation and Community Coaching Clinic will be held in Palmerston North on Sunday August 15.
This is a great opportunity for parents, school teachers and coaches to learn more about run, jump, throw, and the throwing aspects of our sport.
The opportunity to learn from some of our top coaches is too good to miss. Talk to Vanessa Story to learn more.
Feilding Moa Harrier Club today host their popular Halcombe Relays. And on Sunday August 1 the second meet of the winter track series will be held in Palmerston North. This meeting features track races over 60m, 200m, 800m, and the longer options of 1000m, 3000m or 5000m. The field events will be high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put and discus.