A. INTRODUCTION This policy outlines the selection criteria and process for elite athletes that wish to represent Canada at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Multisport World Championships. The events in the ITU Multisport World Championships include: ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships ITU Duathlon World Championships ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships ITU Aquathlon World Championships Triathlon Canada is committed to selecting the highest performing team using clear selection methods, and in accordance with ITU entry criteria. The primary goal is to achieve podium performances. Triathlon Canada also aims to maximize the participation of elite athletes to represent Canada and to support their next steps towards future podium performances. B. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Triathlon Canada may name up to six (6) elite athletes in each gender for each discipline at the ITU Multisport World Championships. All athletes who represent Canada in the elite category at the ITU Multisport World Championships must: a. Be current members in good standing with a Provincial Sport Organisation for Triathlon (PSO) b. Be a holder of a current International Competition Card issued by Triathlon Canada c. Be in good standing with Triathlon Canada d. Wear the Triathlon Canada ITU approved race suit during the competition e. Sign an athlete agreement in the year of selection C. QUALIFICATION CRITERIA Triathlon Canada Multisport Selection Committee will select five (5) members to the elite team for the ITU Multisport World Championships based upon the first stage of qualification outlined in C.1 Automatic Qualification. One member of the team will be at the discretion of the Triathlon Canada Multisport Selection Committee. Discretionary Selection is outlined in C.2. 1
C.1 Automatic Qualification Athletes will be chosen in sequence of priority identified. Athletes will be selected based on ranking the fastest athlete time by percentage to the ier s fiish tie at each of the events, with athletes achieving a consistent result in the most events selected first. Should spots on the team remain open after priority one (1) and priority two (2) then priority three (3) will commence etc. Triathlon Canada does not have to use all spots. C.1.1 Long Distance Priority 3: C.1.2 Duathlon Place top three (3) at the elite/professional category at the 2016 ITU Long Distance World Championships, 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Mooloolaba, Queensland or 2016 IRONMAN World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i. Place top two (2) Canadians and on the podium at the 2016 Canadian Long Distance Championship (Challenge Penticton) in the elite/professional category that has a minimum of $CDN25,000 Prize Purse. Place top ten (10) in the elite/professional category at a North American or International Race (e.g., Challenge) with a total Prize Purse of $CDN50,000+ The qualifying period is 1 st December 2015 to 30 th April 2017. Place top ten (10) in the elite/professional category at the previous year ITU Duathlon World Championships. Top two (2) Canadians ranked in top 150 ITU points as of 15 November. C.1.3 Cross Triathlon Place top ten (10) overall at the previous year ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships or World XTERRA Championships. Place first (1 st ) at the 2016 Canadian Cross Triathlon Championship (Challenge Penticton) in the elite/professional category. 2
Priority 3: C.1.4 Aquathlon Place first (1st) in the elite/professional category in a North American or International race (e.g., Challenge) with $CDN1,000+ Prize Purse. Place top ten (10) in the elite/professional category at the previous year ITU Aquathlon World Championships. Top two (2) Canadians ranked in top 150 ITU points as of 15 November. C.2 Discretionary Selection Athletes wishing to be considered for Discretionary Selection must apply to Triathlon Canada by 30 th April in the year of the ITU Multisport World Championships or 90 days prior to the event (whichever comes first) in which they to be considered. These athletes will be selected at the discretion of Triathlon Canada. C.2.1 General Discretionary Selection Should there be more applicants than spots available to the ITU Multisport World Championships in any multisport discipline; the selection of elite members will be determined by the Triathlon Canada Multisport Selection Committee. Selection will be based on performance placing and depth of field in the events listed in C.1. C.2.2 Race Resume & Special Circumstance Consideration Athletes who do not meet the selection criteria identified in C.1 or C.2.1 may submit a Race Resume with their qualifications and results, or be considered under Special Circumstance Application. Triathlon Canada Multisport Selection Committee has the sole discretion for selecting elite team members based on a Race Resume and/or Special Circumstance Application D. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES APPLICATION Special Circumstances Application will be considered using the conditions outlined in the injury, illness and pregnancy provision identified below and at the discretion of Triathlon Canada Multisport Selection Committee. D.1 Injury, Illness & Pregnancy Provision Condition 3
In the event an athlete suffers a long term injury, illness or becomes pregnant during the qualification period and for strictly health-related reasons, has not achieved the qualification standards C.1 or C.2.1, he or she may make a written application to Triathlon Canada by 30 th April in each calendar year. Conditions of this provision may include but is not limited to: A longer term injury or illness would generally be considered a time period that prevented the athlete from being able to train for 8-12 weeks or more depending on where it occurred during the athletes racing calendar. The athlete has fulfilled all reasonable training and rehabilitation requirements aimed at a speedy return to full-time elite competition training during the period of his or her injury, illness or pregnancy and, despite making every reasonable effort to attain the applicable qualification standards during the year in which the injury, illness or pregnancy occurred, has failed to do so, in the view of Triathlon Canada, for reasons strictly related to the injury, illness or pregnancy. The athlete s coach and qualified physician, based on their respective expertise, indicates in writing that the athlete has met the recovery plan expectations and that the athlete will achieve at least the minimum standard required during the upcoming year. The athlete has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate his or her long-term commitment to elite competition goals, as well as his or her intention to pursue full elite competition training and competition throughout the current period for which he or she wishes to be named to the elite team despite not having met the selection criteria. The athlete s Applicatio ill iclude preious seaso s results ad rakigs alog with his or her rationale for applying for an injury, illness or pregnancy exemption. E. ELITE TEAM SELECTION POLICY TIMELINE Athletes that meet the selection criteria C.1 Priority one (1) to three (3) (where applicable) will be invited to race at the ITU Multisport World Championships. These athletes have until 30 th April to notify Triathlon Canada in writing their intent to race. Upon notification they will be announced to the Multisport elite team. Athletes that wish to be considered for the Multisport elite team under C.1 Priority four (4) (if applicable) or C.2 Discretionary Selection must apply to Triathlon Canada by 30 th April in the year of the ITU Multisport World Championships. Triathlon Canada will prioritize athlete results achieved from 30 th April 2016 to 30 th April 2017. 4
The Triathlon Canada Multisport Selection Committee will convene after 30 th April to select athletes and notify successful applicants as soon as possible. F. WITHDRAWAL POLICY Athletes that have been officially accepted onto the team but are unable to race, must submit their intent to withdrawal to Triathlon Canada in writing within 60 days prior to the race, to be officially withdrawn from the race without penalty. Any costs incurred will be not be refunded by Triathlon Canada. G. SUBSTITUTION POLICY The ITU allows each country to make substitutions following the publication of the Official Start List for each event. Triathlon Canada may exercise the option to substitute athletes, in accordance with ITU rules and regulations regarding substitutions. H. POLICY IMPLEMENTATION Final elite team selections will be ratified by the Triathlon Canada Board. I. MODIFICATION OF SELECTION POLICY Triathlon Canada may propose changes to this policy provided that they inform members with a minimum of 12 months prior to the ITU Multisport World Championship for which the policy change would come into effect. J. LANGUAGE Should there be any difference in interpretation between the French and English versions of this document, the English shall prevail. K. APPEAL PROCEDURE Any athlete wishing to appeal a Non-Selection decision must follow the Triathlon Canada Appeal Policy available on the Triathlon Canada website. 5