[b][i]just got this in, any australian athlete who does not gain automatic selection will be required to run a time that would have placed them inside the world top16 in 2007 to be considered for selection on June 23…
what a great idea at least those with late starts for whatever reason will be running well at the right time if they are to make individual events on top of the relays…[/i][/b]
The main points that we need to get out to all coaches, but particularly those with athletes who are borderline selections, or even further down the queue (ie only a B qualifier) are:
They need to read and understand the criteria. Repeatability of performances will be required by athletes. The only way to get automatic selection is to do 2 ‘A’ qualifiers and win the nationals. The performance at the nationals doesn’t have to be an ‘A’ qualifier if they already have 2 from previous meets. Marathon, 50km walk, 10000m and combined events only require 1 qualifier.
Following the selectors meeting at the nationals, it will be very hard for athletes to get added to the team. They will have to demonstrate that they are a Top 16 proposition. The attached word document gives an idea of what it takes for 16th. It shows the 2007 world list adjusted for 3 per nation basis. In all cases, 16th place is at the very least, and usually quite a way above the ‘A’ standard. (Distance people might say their races are more tactical and slower, but in any case the athletes that get through will be capable of running faster than the times they do to get through the rounds). So for any athlete to be added after March, it is likely that they will need to be performing at a very high standard.
below from left to right are Top 8, Top 16, A Qual, B Qual, mens first then the womens times
10.02 10.09 10.21 10.28 100m 11.05 11.17 11.32 11.42
20.11 20.31 20.59 20.75 200m 22.49 22.68 23.00 23.20
44.60 45.05 45.55 45.95 400m 50.15 50.99 51.55 52.35