XXI Commonwealth Games Gold Coast, Australia 4-15 April 2018 Selection Policy and Standards December 2016 Scottish Gymnastics Caledonia House South Gyle EDINBURGH EH12 9DQ
Athlete - Sport Selection Policy and Standards RHYTHMIC 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 Women s Rhythmic Each country can enter a maximum of three competitors (who have met selection standards). Separate individual all around finals and separate individual apparatus final competitions will be held. Athletes will be selected for individual apparatus finals on the basis of performance in the all around competition. To qualify for the team event, three athletes must perform routines on each of the four apparatus, making a total of twelve routines. The team classification is made by adding the ten best scores. 2
To be eligible for selection, a minimum age applies in accordance with the Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG) regulations: Rhythmic 16 years in the year of competition (born 2002 or earlier) Sport Specific Selection Standards Selection period: 1 January 2017 8 January 2018 9 General (all disciplines) 9.1 Below are the key selection details applicable to all our gymnastics disciplines: 9.1.1 Standards will only be considered if they have been achieved during the above selection period and in the qualifying competitions identified in the discipline specific sections below (see section 10). 9.1.2 For athletes to be considered for nomination to CGS in January 2018, they must have achieved the minimum qualifying standards on two or more pieces of apparatus at qualifying competitions during the selection period (at the qualifying competitions). 9.1.3 For athletes wishing to be considered for nomination as an apparatus specialist, they must be able to demonstrate medal potential performances demonstrating the standard during at least two different competitions during the selection period (at the qualifying competitions). 9.1.4 Scottish Gymnastics reserves the right to get the best team composition to attend the Games and will use technical guidance and input to support gymnast nomination decisions from those who have met the minimum standards. 9.1.5 Additional qualifying competitions may be added by the SG Selection panel. Any such additional qualifying competition must have prior agreed approval by CGS and comply with FIG regulations (see section 12 for composition of the selection panel). 9.1.6 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 at least 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. 9.1.7 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: 1. Athletes achieving selection standards and a podium place at the British Championships 2017. 2. 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. 9.1.8 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 3
achieving the highest place (irrespective of gymnastic discipline); please refer to the Artistic 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 on 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; and/or o Illness of gymnast, whereby they are medically unable to compete/participate (doctors letter will be required). Once deemed fit for selection, scores/results can be considered from a 3 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 Rhythmic a. Qualification Events Competition Date Location GB Representation 1 January 2017 8 Various (Europeans, World January 2018 Championships and World Cup Series) British Championships 27 July 2017 Echo Arena, Liverpool b. Minimum Standards in order to be considered for nomination: All Around Achieve Top 16 finish at European / World event recognised by FIG OR Achieve Top 3 finish at 2017 British Championships (Senior Competition) OR Single Apparatus Achieve top 16 finish at a European / World event recognised by FIG on minimum 2 pieces of apparatus OR Achieve Top 3 finish at 2017 British Championships (Senior Competition) on minimum 2 pieces of apparatus For team selection, three identified athletes must meet the selection criteria above. 11 Other Factors for Consideration All athletes must have signed, returned and adhere to the Scottish Gymnastics Gymnast Agreement. 4
Selection process There will be no named reserves recognised by CGS as part of the nomination process for the Commonwealth Games. 12 Final Nominations will be made by the Scottish Gymnastics selection panel comprising of: - SG Technical Director (Olympic Disciplines) Chair - SG Head of Performance - SG Chief Executive Officer - Technical Judge (Brevet) in each discipline - CGS staff member (non-voting) to ensure process is followed 13 The selection panel will seek advice and technical input via reports/statistics from the following (non-voting) as required: - Technical Expert for the discipline - 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 9.1.7 to 9.1.9 14 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. 15 Scottish Gymnastics will send their final nominations to CGS by 22 January 2018. CGS will confirm the final team selections by 20 February 2018. 16 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. 17 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 Performance Team, in line with Section 25 of the CGS Generic Selection Policy. De-selection 18 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. 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 athlete s condition and may include input from CGS medical staff. Any selection or deselection decision, following such a test, will be final. 5
Conduct Athletes in breach of CGS and Scottish Gymnastics policies, code of conduct and team agreement may be de-selected. Appeal Process 19 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. 20 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. 21 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 Appeal Panel will consider the case along with any additional 6
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 22 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. 7
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. 8