Following considerable interest in the qualification process for NZ triathletes to the London 2012 Olympic Games, in particular the men, Triathlon New Zealand wishes to clarify that selection process and clarify some recent comments made in the media.
Triathlon New Zealand National Coach Greg Fraine said that while there was some disappointment around the elite men's performances this year, all hope is certainly not lost for London but wants to set the record straight in a number of areas.
"We were disappointed in Beijing that we missed securing one male athlete a nomination for London under our selection criteria but this does not shut the door and it certainly does not mean we can only send one athlete to London as was incorrectly reported over the weekend.
"Selection will be in the hands of the Selection Panel post the Sydney World Champs Series race next April if there are spots still available in the team. The selection process allows for the athletes to compete against each other and set targets to earn a nomination, if those targets are not met the selectors have the discretion to then consider form, potential and the team aspect that is often vital to the success of an individual as was seen in the women's race in Beijing when making nominations to the NZOC.
"If under the ITU rankings we are one of the top 8 nations at the cut off point we will earn 3 starting spots in London, it will be up to the Tri NZ Selectors to nominate the 3 athletes they feel will best represent us on the day and then for the NZOC to act on those nominations."
Indeed in 2008 Shane Reed and Terenzo Bozzone came down to just that at the final selection race in Mooloolaba, with the selectors plumping for Reed in a close run race between the two. History tells us that Reed's excellent work in the swim and bike contributed towards Bevan Docherty winning his second Olympic medal.
Currently New Zealand has two men ranked in the top 18 in the world and is inside the top 8 nations on ITU Olympic rankings, a position that would earn it three starting positions in London. This qualifying system is live however until May 31 2012.
Media are again invited to review the selection policy document at their own leisure to better understand this process. The policy was agreed after consultation with the athletes, coaches, SPARC and the NZOC. The policy has been made available to media in the past and is posted on the Triathlon NZ website and can be found by clicking here. Media are asked to thoroughly review this document for all future references to the selection policy.
Furthermore comments regarding a potential 'development' team at the London Olympics have been taken out of context. Any triathlete representing New Zealand at the London Olympic Games will do so on merit and will only do so once nominated by the Tri NZ Selection Panel and then accepted by the NZOC.
Fraine says a number of athletes will tick both boxes in terms of their development towards Rio in 2016 and yet also earning their spot in 2012 based on their form and recent results, but development is simply one of a number of criteria.
"While the men have not had the best of years, we still have a group of dedicated triathletes competing with a goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games. That group includes some very experienced and well performed athletes such as Bevan Docherty and Kris Gemmell who have been to an Olympics before and younger athletes such as Ryan Sissons. They and others such as Clark Ellice and James Elvery are capable of a strong performance on any given day.
"Each though knows they are still a chance of qualifying for London, based on form this year, a strong showing in Sydney next year and/or an ability to show real value to the team on the day, as was the case with Shane Reed in Beijing. London will certainly not be a case of picking a 'development team' for the sake of it, some athletes might fit that bill in regards peaking at Rio, but they will earn their spot in London on merit."
Tri NZ is not sitting idle though, as previously reported the planned review of the High Performance Programme beyond London will go ahead as scheduled before London 2012, with a view as to how best to nurture and develop talent in the sport to the very high standards of the past decade.
