XX1 Commonwealth Games Gold Coast, Australia 4-15 April 2018 Artistic Gymnastics Selection Policy and Standards February 2017 Scottish Gymnastics Caledonia House South Gyle EDINBURGH EH12 9DQ
Athlete - Sport Selection Policy and Standards ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS Introduction 1 This selection policy has been agreed by the Boards of Scottish Gymnastics and Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS). It provides detail on the process by which Scottish Gymnastics will arrive at athlete nominations, which will be submitted to CGS for consideration. CGS will then confirm final selection to Team Scotland for Gold Coast 2018. 2 Scottish Gymnastics will nominate only those athletes that have qualified under both the Scottish Gymnastics Specific Selection Standards stated below, and the CGS General Selection Policy (available on the CGS website) that should be read in conjunction with these standards. 3 Entry numbers per event and the overall number of athletes are in accordance with Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) allocation. Should more athletes achieve the standards than spaces available, then Scottish Gymnastics will prioritise in accordance with the Sport Specific Selection Standards. For clarity, meeting the selection standards stated within this policy does not guarantee athlete nomination/selection. Team Scotland General Selection Policy Aim 4 Scotland selects a team that performs with distinction in 2018, achieving our highest ever number of medals at a Games out with Scotland and overall have a higher percentage of athletes meeting the selection standards when competing at these Games than in 2014. 5 This Scottish Gymnastics policy is consistent with the aim. Athlete Eligibility 6 The eligibility criteria of the CGF, Article 24, must be met by all nominees, see Appendix 1. 7 Where prospective team members do not automatically comply with the above, in terms of birth or parent s birth, they will only be nominated for final selection if they receive prior approval from the CGF under their guidelines. Games Competition Format 8 Men s and Women s Artistic: Each country can enter a maximum of five (5) males and five (5) females (who have met selection standards), with a minimum of three (3) competitors for each team event. Team standings to be determined by the aggregate team score with the three (3) best performances on each individual apparatus to score. Separate individual all around finals and separate individual apparatus competitions will be held, with athletes selected on the basis of performance in the team competition. To be eligible for selection, a minimum age applies in accordance with the Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG) regulations: Men s Artistic 18 years in the year of competition (born 2000 or earlier) Women s Artistic 16 years in the year of competition (born 2002 or earlier) 2
Sport Specific Selection Standards 9 General (all disciplines) 9.1 Below are the key selection details applicable to our Artistic Gymnastics disciplines: 9.1.1 Scores will only be considered if they have been achieved during the selection period and in the qualifying competitions identified in the discipline specific sections below (see section 10 & 11). 9.1.2 The selection period is split into two parts for Artistic Gymnastics as outlined below: a. Phase 1 (1 January 30 September 2017) b. Phase 2 (1 October 2017 8 January 2018) 9.1.3 Only athletes who have achieved the minimum qualifying scores on one or more pieces of apparatus on at least one occasion during Phase 1 (at one of the qualifying competitions) will be eligible for consideration for nomination during Phase 2 (subject to code of points review in relation to scores). Gymnasts with exceptional circumstances during Phase 1 may still have performances considered during Phase 2 as agreed with the Head of Performance and National Technical Advisor (see section 9.2 for what constitutes exceptional circumstances). 9.1.4 For athletes to be considered for nomination to CGS in January 2018, they must have achieved the minimum qualifying standards at least once on two or more pieces of apparatus during Phase 2 at a minimum of one of the qualifying competitions. 9.1.5 For athletes wishing to be considered for nomination as an apparatus specialist, they must be able to demonstrate medal potential performances demonstrating the standard at least once during Phase 2 at a minimum of one of the qualifying competitions. 9.1.6 Scottish Gymnastics reserves the right to get the best team composition to attend the Games and will use technical guidance and input from Scottish Gymnastics National Technical Advisors to support gymnast nomination decisions from those who have met the minimum standards. 9.1.7 Additional qualifying competitions may be added by the Scottish Gymnastics selection panel. Any such additional qualifying competition must have prior agreed approval by CGS and comply with FIG regulations (see section 14 for composition of the selection panel). 9.1.8 All athletes in transition from Junior to Senior in the year 2017 to 2018 must have competed at a senior event against senior codes and achieved the standard once between October 2017 January 2018. Any athlete in transition will have these results considered in line with the CGS General Selection Policy, Section 31.3. 9.1.9 In the event that the number of athletes achieving the selection standards (on the required number of occasions within the selection period, and at suitable events) exceeds the number of places available, Scottish Gymnastics will use the criteria below to prioritise athletes for nomination in the following order: 3
Athletes achieving selection standards and a podium place at the British Championships 2017. The predicted place that the athlete could achieve, using the performances delivered by the athlete within the selection period. Greater priority will go to those predicted as achieving the highest place at the Games. 9.1.10 For nomination decisions, a higher priority will be given to selection standards achieved in Phase 2 over Phase 1. 9.1.11 On nomination of all athletes to CGS, Scottish Gymnastics will prioritise athletes across disciplines based on predicted places which could be achieved by individuals/team. Greater priority going to those predicted as achieving the highest place (irrespective of gymnastic discipline); please refer to the Rhythmic selection policy for further information on selection standards. 9.2 Injury prior or during selection period: In order to be considered for selection, a gymnast who is ill or injured prior to, or during the period of selection, must provide written authentication of their injury, illness or medical condition signed by a medical personnel approved by Scottish Gymnastics and CGS, in line with the exceptional circumstances outlined below. This must be submitted to Scottish Gymnastics Head of Performance prior to the event: sam.hendrikson@scottishgymnastics.org. For gymnasts who would like to be considered during the selection period for exceptional circumstances will need to satisfy one of the conditions below: o Medically certified injury between January 2017 January 2018; o Family bereavement; or, o Illness of gymnast, whereby they are medically unable to compete / participate (doctors letter will be required). Once deemed fit for selection, scores can be considered from a three month period prior to injury/illness in order to provide ranking. Alternatively, if a gymnast has clearly demonstrated, over the previous one year period, their ability to meet the criteria before the period of injury/illness which has affected their performance, consideration will be given to the athlete. Gymnasts must then participate in control competitions to evidence competition readiness, form and fitness. 10 Men s Artistic a. Qualification Events Competition Date Location Comments Phase 1 Scottish Championships 4 5 March 2017 Bell s Sports Centre, Perth British Championships 24 26 March 2017 Echo Arena, Liverpool English Championships 7 9 April 2017 Loughborough University GB Representation 1 January 2017 30 Various (Europeans, World September 2017 Championships and World Cup Series) London Open 9 10 September 2017 4 TBC Any event for GB can be used as evidence of selection standard
Phase 2 GB Representation 1 October 2017 Various Any event for GB can be (Europeans, World 8 January 2018 used as evidence of Championships and selection standard World Cup Series) Northern Europeans 21 22 October Faroe Islands SG selected event 2017 Home Country 18-19 November Inverclyde NSC Open to all who qualified International 2017 for the selection period Control Competition 1 TBC December Inverclyde NSC 2017 Control Competition 2 TBC January 2018 Inverclyde NSC All gymnasts wishing to be considered for selection must attend this event (GB representation exemption) will act as a form and fitness measurement The table above highlights the competitions which CGS and Scottish Gymnastics have approved as selection events. b. Minimum Standards in order to be considered for nomination: Selection standards All Around Floor Pommels Rings Vault Parallel Bars High Bar 77.000 13.300 13.000 13.000 13.500 13.000 13.000 We acknowledge that the individual apparatus scores above do not add up to the allaround score. Scottish Gymnastics will review the scores after the English Championships 2017 Scottish Gymnastics have the ability to make adjustments to the scores outlined above to reflect the changes in the new code; any adjustments to selection standards will be made by 30 September 2017. The scores only apply to Senior Code competitions. 11 Women s Artistic a. Qualification Events Competition Date Location Comments Phase 1 Scottish Championships 4 5 March 2017 Bell s Sports Centre, Perth British Championships 24 26 March 2017 Echo Arena, Liverpool English Championships 7 9 April 2017 Loughborough University GB Representation 1 January Various (Europeans, World 30 September 2017 Championships and World Cup Series) 5 Any event for GB can be used as evidence of selection standard
Adrian Stan Team Championships Competition Phase 2 GB Representation (Europeans, World Championships and World Cup Series) 15 17 September 2017 Venue TBC 1 October 2017 Various Any event for GB 8 January 2018 can be used as evidence of selection standard Northern Europeans 21 22 October 2017 Faroe Islands TBC SG selected event Home Country TBC November 2017 Lilleshall TBC Open to all who International qualified for the selection period Control Competition TBC December 2017 Inverclyde NSC Control Competition TBC January 2018 Inverclyde NSC All gymnasts wishing to be considered for selection must attend this event (GB representation exemption) will act as a form and fitness measurement The table above highlights the competitions which CGS and Scottish Gymnastics have approved as selection events. b. Minimum Standards in order to be considered for nomination: Selection Standards All Around Vault Bars Beam Floor 47.000 12.700 12.000 12.000 12.000 We acknowledge that the individual apparatus scores above do not add up to the allaround score. Scottish Gymnastics will review the scores after the English Championships 2017 Scottish Gymnastics has the ability to make adjustments to the scores outlined above to reflect the changes in the new code; any adjustments to selection standards will be made by 30 September 2017. The scores only apply to Senior Code competitions. 12 Other Factors for Consideration All athletes must have signed, returned and adhere to the SG Gymnast Agreement. Any unavailability for competition or training, for any of the reasons outlined in section 9.2, must be advised and agreed with the Head of Performance in advance. There will be no named reserves recognised by CGS as part of the nomination process for the Commonwealth Games. 6
Selection process 13 Gymnasts will be notified by the Head of Performance as to their progression from Phase 1 to Phase 2. 14 Final Nominations will be made by the Scottish Gymnastics selection panel comprising of: - SG Technical Director (Olympic Disciplines) Chair - SG Head of Performance & Education - SG Chief Executive Officer - Technical Judge (Brevet) in each discipline - CGS staff member (non-voting) to ensure process is followed 15 The selection panel will seek advice and technical input via reports/statistics from the following (non-voting): - National Technical Advisors (MAG / WAG) - Commonwealth Games named Team Coaches (Discipline specific) if different from above - Performance/support staff invited by Head of Performance SG will approach nomination decisions through adopting a strategy which will maximise medal impact at the Games, and takes into account section 9.1.9 to 9.1.12. 16 Scottish Gymnastics will make contact with all nominated athletes after the Scottish Gymnastics selection panel meeting on the 8 January 2018. Scottish Gymnastics will also contact, in confidence, those athletes whom they consider were very close to nomination but not successful on 8 January 2018. 17 Scottish Gymnastics will send their final nominations to CGS by 22 January 2018. CGS will confirm the final team selections by 5 February 2018. 18 Final selection to the Games team is dependent on receipt of relevant information required by CGS such as completion and signing of the CGF Eligibility form and CGS Team Member Agreement. 19 All gymnasts must be able to demonstrate form and fitness in the lead up to nomination, in line with Section 25 of the CGS Generic Selection Policy. Following successful selection and up towards the Games, ongoing form and fitness will be monitored of the selected gymnasts by Scottish Gymnastics National Technical Advisors in partnership with Scottish Gymnastics Head of Performance, in line with Section 25 of the CGS Generic Selection Policy. De-selection 20 De-Selection a. Anti-doping Athletes, coaches / support staff suspended by their Governing Body as a result of ongoing or concluded anti-doping violation allegations, will not be considered for selection, and if previously selected will be deselected from the Gold Coast 2018 team. b. Injury Management Where injury issues are identified at or after selection, a fitness test may be used to determine that the athlete is capable of performing to the level that they were selected for the Games. The format will be determined by CGS after discussion with the Scottish Gymnastics Team Management and Coaches. This will be specific to Gymnastics and the 7
athlete s condition and may include input from CGS medical staff. Any selection or deselection decision, following such a test, will be final. c. Conduct Athletes in breach of CGS and Scottish Gymnastics policies, code of conduct and team agreement may be de-selected. Appeal Process 21 An appeal against non-nomination to CGS by Scottish Gymnastics is entirely a matter for the athlete and Scottish Gymnastics. This should be held in accordance with Scottish Gymnastics own appeal procedures, but taking into consideration only the CGS selection policy and agreed sport specific selections standards and conditions. 22 Following the Communication to athletes by SG on 8 January 2018, in line with Section 16, appeals can be submitted to Scottish Gymnastics by 12 noon on 14 January 2018 in accordance with Scottish Gymnastics internal appeals process: a. All appeals must be received in writing (letter or email), including the grounds upon which the appeal is made, to Operations Manager, Lara Gregson (lara.gregson@scottishgymnastics.org). b. The sole grounds of appeal against the decision of the selection panel will be that: i. there has been a failure to follow the content of this specific Selection Policy; or ii. that the selection panel reached a decision on the basis of an error of fact. The right to appeal a selection decision is permitted on these limited grounds only and must not be seen as an opportunity to dispute the opinion of the selection panel where they have followed the proper procedure and selection standards outlined in this policy. In reaching their decision the selection panel are acting as experts and the athletes agree that in so doing the panel exercises judgment and discretion which are not in themselves capable of challenge. There are no appeals allowed against the content of the published Selection Policy and therefore against the actions of the selection panel, provided they follow the selection criteria published. c. The appeals panel will meet on 15 January 2018 to consider any appeals received. d. The appeals panel will be made up of three representatives who were not involved in the original selection process, and will be chaired by the Chair of Scottish Gymnastics Board. Additional members will include a strategic Board member and a CEO/Performance Director from another Commonwealth sport; all members with no conflict of interest. Technical input may be required from independent experts, not previously involved in selections, should the appeals panel consider it necessary. e. In all instances, Scottish Gymnastics will respond in writing to the athlete/coach within three working days notifying them of the outcome of the appeal process (deadline 18 January 2018). f. Should the appeals panel uphold any athlete appeal(s) they will add the athlete(s) to the Scottish Gymnastics nominations to CGS, which will be forwards to CGS by the 22 January 2018. g. The decision made by the appeals panel is final. 8
23 An appeal against CGS non-selection on behalf of an athlete may only be submitted by Scottish Gymnastics and not by any individual athlete. If an appeal is submitted to CGS by Scottish Gymnastics, a CGS Appeals Panel will consider the case along with any additional information provided. The appeal must be made in writing within 72hrs of notification of selection outcomes to Scottish Gymnastics by CGS. Appointment of Team Staff 24 A Team Manager will be appointed by CGS in consultation with Scottish Gymnastics by April 2017. The final complement of Gymnastics team staff attending the Games will ultimately depend upon team numbers and composition and will be determined by CGS in consultation with Scottish Gymnastics. This will include different categories of accreditation and access to the Games Village and other secure areas. 9
ARTICLE 24 Eligibility Appendix 1 1. Subject to Article 24(2), as a condition of entry to compete in the Commonwealth Games, all athletes must be citizens or subjects of the Commonwealth Country that enters them and must: (a) (b) not be currently under disqualification or suspension by the Federation, or their respective Affiliated Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) or International Federation (IF) or under the World Anti Doping Code; comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Federation, their respective IFs and the World Anti Doping Code as may be modified and applied by the Federation to ensure that the overriding principles of the Commonwealth Games are observed. 2. Subject to Article 24(3), where an athlete was born in a Commonwealth Country that has common citizenship/passport with other Commonwealth Countries, the athlete may initially represent either the athlete's Commonwealth Country of birth; or the Commonwealth Country of birth of his or her father or mother that shares the same citizenship/passport. 3. After having represented one Commonwealth Country at the Commonwealth Games, an athlete may not represent another Commonwealth Country unless he or she receives the approval of the Federation, the relevant IF and the affiliated CGAs of the two Commonwealth Countries concerned. Applications under this article must be submitted to the Executive Board at least 12 months prior to the commencement of the Games. 4. It is the responsibility of all affiliated CGAs to ensure that their athletes are fully aware of and comply with the eligibility rules of the Federation. 5. The Executive Board will have the power to waive the provisions of Articles 24 (1-3) in its discretion. In relation this clause, the CGF Executive Board at its meeting in August 2004 gave the following guidelines: If an athlete has previously represented a country at a Commonwealth Games they may continue to represent that country at future Games. Athletes wishing to compete for a country on the basis of residency must show they have resided in that country for five years immediately prior to those Games. Further guidelines were given in August 2005 as follows: Athlete Eligibility - Athlete Dispensation Criteria The General Assembly noted the Executive Board s decision that in accordance with Article 25 (5) dispensations would be granted to athletes where common passports exist in that an athlete may represent the new country subject to having fulfilled all the requirements of the relevant International Federation. 10
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