|
With Beijing looming it is a high
pressure time for athletes looking to qualify the Olympics.
Over the last few months we have seen some interesting and close
battles in some spots for places.
With any qualification process there
is a question of peaking not only for the trial process but for
the Olympics itself - not an easy process - and for each sport
this process is different depending on the events they have to
qualify for and the timing of trials etc. There is an 18
month window for sports to qualify. Each sport has to
balance the risk of naming athletes early to allow them to prepare vs
announcing later to allow for changes in form.
|
 |
Craig Cooper and
Renee Flavell - on the
road to Beijing? |
In NZ we set our qualification
standards high and in badminton this could cause an interesting
anomaly in 2008. Currently the NZ mixed pair of Renee
Flavell and Craig Cooper (pictured) are trying to qualify for
the mixed doubles. They are currently ranked 29 in the
world. To
qualify under the NZOC criteria they must be in the top 16 in
the World. However International rules allow one pair from
Oceania to qualify to make up one of the 16 pairs at the
Olympics (similar to the Soccer
World Cup).
Therefore if Renee and Craig are not
allowed to go it is likely that the
Australian Mixed Pair will go to the
Olympics taking that Oceania spot. The Australian pair are ranked 58
in the world (29 places
below the NZ pair). What the Australians set as a standard
of course is not in NZOC's control however the result could be
that the top ranked Oceania pair do not attend. So Is this fair and what are the alternatives?
Why Is NZ's Qualifying Different To
That Of Australia In This Area?
|
 |
I asked Barry Maister NZ Olympic
Committee (NZOC) Secretary General whether it was a question
of funding that created the need for a higher standard.
However he said that funding is absolutely not an issue
regarding qualification, far from it, but that it is purely a matter of setting a
standard.
|
|
He said that with any sport there is
a trade off - set the standards too low and getting to the
Olympics could be seen as being a bit too easy, downgrading the
pride factor of going to the Olympics. Set them too high
and you risk talented young athletes missing out on experiences
that could earn them valuable experience for the future.
Barry pointed out that the NZOC
retains the right to use some discretion in the selection
process, and will always consider those who NSOs believe have
good reason for consideration even if the NZOC standard is not
met. |
 |
The NZOC are currently reviewing the
issue of qualification standards for the Olympics.
Although there is a chance for consideration should athletes
have to go through that uncertainty when they have made the
international qualifying standard? What do
you think about it and the standard NZ sets for Olympic
Qualification? Are we setting the bar too high?
Email
your thoughts to
shuttle.exp@gmail.com
- put "editorial" in the subject row - and your
comments could end up on this page next issue. |
