ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA SELECTION POLICY WORLD RACE WALKING TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 5-6 May 2018, Taicang, China This document sets out the basis on which Athletics Australia will select its Team for the IAAF World Race Walking Team Championships in Taicang, China on 5 and 6 May 2018. 1 Aims The aim of Athletics Australia s Selection Policy for the IAAF World Race Walking Team Championships is to nominate the most competitive team possible to represent Australia and to provide opportunity to developing athletes with potential for success in the future. The policy is aligned with the Athletics Australia Strategic Plan and with the Australian Institute of Sport Winning Edge strategy. The aims of Athletics Australia s High Performance plan are to; To achieve medals, supported by additional top eight places, at the Olympic Games and IAAF World Athletics Championships; and To achieve gold medals, supported by additional silver and bronze medals, at the Paralympic Games and IPC World Athletics Championships; and To finish the top nation on the Commonwealth Games athletics medal table. Specifically, this policy aims to facilitate the following outcomes: Selecting athletes (and teams) that are realistic medal contenders at the World Race Walking Team Championships, and; Providing major Championships experience to potential future Olympic and World Championships finalists (top eight places) or realistic medal contenders at future Commonwealth Games. Page 1 v.5-20/10/2017
2 Standards, criteria and athlete numbers Athletics Australia has established Qualification Standards for all events with the exception of the Senior Women 50km to be held at the. These Qualification Standards are listed in Appendix 1. 2.1 There will be six (6) events contested at the IAAF World Race Walking Team Championships. Those events are the: Senior Men 20km Senior Men 50km Senior Women 20km Senior Women 50km Junior Men 10km (using IAAF Pit Lane rule) Junior Women 10km (using IAAF Pit Lane rule) 2.2 Each event will be conducted as both an individual event and team championship event. Entry rules permit a maximum of five (5) athletes per team to be entered in each of the Senior Men and Women s events of which three (3) will score for the Team in each race. 2.3 For the Junior events, the entry rules permit a maximum of three (3) athletes per team to be entered, of whom two (2) will score points for the team event. 2.4 We expect that athletes may be entered as individuals only or as individuals and as part of a team. 3 Selection 3.1 The Selection Trials for the World Race Walking Team Championships are: Senior M & W 50kmW 2017 Aus 50km Race Walking Championships 3 December 2017 Melbourne Senior M & W 20kmW 2018 Aus 20km Race Walking Championship 11 February 2018 Adelaide Junior M & W 10kmW 2018 Aus 20km Race Walking Championships (10kmW invitational events) 11 February 2018 Adelaide 3.2 Senior Men s and Women s 20km and Men s 50km 3.2.1 Any athlete that finished in the top twenty-four at the 2017 IAAF World Championships will be automatically selected, subject to compliance with clause 4 (excluding clause 4.7) and the athlete having nominated for that event. For the avoidance of doubt, achievement of the qualification standard in Appendix 1 is not required in the period by an athlete that otherwise satisfies this clause. 3.2.2 Any athlete that won a medal at the 2016 IAAF World Race Walk Team Championships will be automatically selected, subject to compliance with clause 4 (excluding clause 4.7) and the athlete having nominated for that event. Page 2 v.5-20/10/2017
For the avoidance of doubt, achievement of the qualification standard in Appendix 1 is not required in the period by an athlete that otherwise satisfies this clause. 3.2.3 The first two eligible athletes (excluding any athlete selected by clauses 3.2.1 and 3.2.2) in the selection trial will be automatically selected subject, to compliance with clause 4 and the athlete having nominated for that event. 3.2.4 If positions remain in the event after the operation of clause 3.2.1, 3.2.2 and 3.2.3, further selections may be made at the discretion of the selectors. This discretion is absolute and it need not be exercised. 3.3 Senior Women 50km The IAAF has confirmed the inclusion of the Women s 50km event in Taicang. Due to the infancy of the event at the International level, Athletics Australia will not set a qualification standard. To be considered for selection, an athlete must have either (i) (ii) completed a 50km event under conditions that satisfy the IAAF and Athletics Australia for qualification purposes within the qualification period and satisfy and/or are selected under clauses 3.3.1, 3.3.2 and 3.3.3 below; or having satisfied clause 3.3.1 below, has submitted a specific request to be considered for the 50km event to the Director of High Performance by 18 February 2018. For the avoidance of doubt, AA may select an athlete that satisfies clause 3.3.1 only, if this condition is met. 3.3.1 To be eligible for selection, athletes must have demonstrated previous senior international competitiveness in the 20km event. 3.3.2 The first two eligible athletes in the selection trial will be automatically selected subject to compliance with clause 3.3.1 and 4 and the athlete having nominated for that event. 3.3.3 After the operation of clause 3.3.3, further selections may be made at the discretion of the selectors. This discretion is absolute and it need not be exercised. 3.4 Junior Men and Women 10km 3.4.1 The first two eligible athletes in the selection trial will be automatically selected, subject to compliance with clause 4 and the athlete having nominated for that event. 3.4.2 After the operation of clause 3.4.1, further selections may be made at the discretion of the selectors. This discretion is absolute and it need not be exercised. 3.4.3 Any junior athlete who accepts selection in the Team to compete in the 2018 World Race Walking Team Championships will be ineligible to compete in Athletics Australia s team for the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships unless that athlete has been granted exemption in writing by the Director of High Performance as set out in clause 5. As a consequence, all junior athletes who have not received written permission must acknowledge their ineligibility for the 2018 IAAF World U20 Page 3 v.5-20/10/2017
3.5 Team Events Championships in writing by signing the acknowledgement form set out in appendix 2. The entry of a Team (as defined in clause 2 above) by Athletics Australia in any of the categories at the IAAF, and the selection of further athletes to make up those Teams, should they be entered, will be at the discretion of the Selectors. This discretion is absolute and need not be exercised. Athletes should not assume that Athletics Australia will select enough athletes in any particular division (Senior Men or Senior Women, Junior Men or Junior Women) for a Team to be entered in that division. 4 Athlete Eligibility Criteria Only those athletes who qualify according to this clause will be eligible for selection in the Team: 4.1 Satisfy all IAAF nationality and World Race Walking Team Championships participation rules (including rules regarding age for the junior events) when published. 4.2 Be a citizen of Australia. 4.3 Be a registered member of Athletics Australia through their Member Association. 4.4 Senior athletes will only be eligible for selection in the Team in either the 50km event or the 20km event. Senior athletes must indicate which event they are seeking selection by 31 January 2018. 4.5 Complete and submit the online Application for Consideration for Selection form (which can be found at www.athletics.com.au) for each event in which the athlete is seeking selection. The form must be submitted no later than 31 January 2018. The date for submission of the Application for Selection may be extended at the discretion of the Chairman of Selectors on the recommendation of the Director of High Performance. 4.6 Be and remain in good standing with Athletics Australia and at all times comply with Athletics Australia s Code of Conduct and conduct themselves in a way that does not bring themselves, their sport or the National Team into disrepute. Athletics Australia may consider past and present behavioural conduct in determining whether an athlete is in good standing. If Athletics Australia determines that an athlete is not in good standing, Athletics Australia may in its absolute discretion choose not to select that athlete. 4.7 Unless exempted under clause 3.2.1 or 3.2.2, meet the Qualification Standard listed in Appendix 1 in the event in which the athlete is seeking selection in the Team during the applicable period and under conditions that satisfy the IAAF and Athletics Australia for such purpose. 5 Eligibility for athletes relating to the IAAF World U20 Championships 5.1 Athletics Australia has determined that only in the limited circumstances set out in this clause 5 should Junior Men and Women be selected in both the 2018 IAAF World Race Walking Team Championships and the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships. Page 4 v.5-20/10/2017
5.2 Consistent with clause 5.1, unless exempt in writing according to the terms of this clause, Junior Men and Women who wish to remain eligible for selection in Athletics Australia s team for the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships must make written application to the Athletics Australia Director of High Performance by 31 January 2018 setting out their training and competition program and written submissions which demonstrate their ability to achieve peak fitness and a peak performance at each championship in 2018. 5.3 Prior to the trial the Director of High Performance will advise all athletes in writing of the outcome of their application for exemption according to this clause 5. Only athletes who have been given written permission by the Director of High Performance will be eligible for selection in both the World Race Walking Team Championships and the World U20 Championships in 2018. Approval will be granted on the basis of training age and history, and on recommendation from the Head Coach, the Junior HP Manager and National Junior Coach Walks. 5.4 For the avoidance of any misunderstanding, it is the intended operation of this clause that all Junior athletes who satisfy the eligibility requirements in clause 4 will be eligible for selection for the World Race Walking Team Championships. However, any athlete who confirms their selection in the Team will be ineligible for selection in the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships Team for that championship unless that athlete has been granted exemption in writing by the Director of High Performance. 6 Qualification Period 6.1 All qualification performances must be achieved between the following dates: Events Qualifying Start Qualifying End Senior 50km 1 December 2016 3 December 2017 Senior 20km 1 August 2017 11 February 2018 Junior 10km 1 August 2017 11 February 2018 7 Eligible Performance Criteria 7.1 Performances must be achieved during competitions organised or authorised by the IAAF, its Area Associations or its National Member Federations. Results achieved at university or school competitions must be certified by Athletics Australia or the National Federation of the country in which the competition was organised. 7.2 Performances must be achieved during an official competition organised in conformity with IAAF Rules. Page 5 v.5-20/10/2017
7.3 To be recognised for the purposes of this Policy, performances achieved in Australia must be achieved in a competition sanctioned by Athletics Australia as an Athletics Australia National Permit Meeting. A current list of all National Permit meetings will be available on the Athletics Australia website. 8 Selection Meetings Unless otherwise determined by AA, there will be two selection meetings to determine the athletes who will be selected in the 2018 World Race Walking Cup Team. 8.1 Selection for the Senior events will be the week beginning 19 February 2018. 8.2 Selection for the Junior events will be the week beginning 19 March 2018. 9 Prioritising athletes Where the selectors have a choice between two or more athletes for selection for a particular event then they will prioritise selection in the following order: 9.1 Potential to win a medal at the, 9.2 Potential to finish in the top eight at the 2018 World Race Walking Team Championships, 9.3 Potential to finish in the top eight at a future Olympic Games or IAAF World Athletics Championships. 9.4 If two or more athletes are considered equally likely to meet one of the criteria above (e.g. if the selectors consider that two or more athletes are equally likely to finish in the top eight) then the selectors will prioritise in the following order: 9.4.1 Head to Head performance in the qualification period, 9.4.2 Recent form and fitness. 9.5 For the avoidance of doubt only athletes who have met the Eligibility Requirements may be selected subject to the application of Sections 2 and 4. Furthermore the selection of any athlete is at the absolute discretion of Athletics Australia. 10 Funding Participating athletes, selected according to the terms of this policy, may be required to cover some costs relating to their travel and participation at the event, in addition to any assistance provided by the IAAF and the local organising committee. Junior athletes in particular should anticipate a levy. As a guide the levy will be approximately $1,500. The allocation of any financial assistance offered by the IAAF or the local organising committee will be by the Director of High Performance, whose decision shall be final. 11 Appeal Process Page 6 v.5-20/10/2017
The appeal process can be found in the Athletics Australia By-Laws (section 8) available at www.athletics.com.au. 12 Amendment to Policy This Policy can be amended at any time by Athletics Australia if it is of the opinion that such an amendment is necessary as a result of any change to the Participation Rules, to give proper effect to the Policy following discovery of a drafting error or oversight, or for any other reason determined to be in the best interests of Athletics Australia. Athletics Australia shall not be responsible or liable in any way to anyone as a result of any such amendment. Page 7 v.5-20/10/2017
Appendix 1 Qualification Standards Men Event Women 4:06:00 50km (Senior) - 1:28:00 20km (Senior) 1:36:00 46:30.00 10km (Junior) 50:00.00 Page 8 v.5-20/10/2017
Appendix 2 ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA ACCEPTANCE OF SELECTION IN ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA S TEAM FOR THE 2018 WORLD RACE WALKING TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS JUNIOR ATHLETES ONLY I,, of confirm that I accept my selection as part of Athletics Australia s Team for the IAAF 2018 World Race Walking Team Championships. I acknowledge that I have not been granted exemption under clause 5 of the Policy by the Athletics Australia Director of High Performance to compete in the World Race Walking Team Championships and remain eligible for selection in Athletics Australia s Team for the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships. I acknowledge that by accepting selection in the Team, I am no longer eligible to compete in Australia s Team for the 2018 World U20 Championships. Signed: (athlete) Date:. Signed by the athlete ) In the presence of: ).. (witness, not being the athlete s parent or guardian) Where the athlete is under 18 years of age, this form must also be signed by the athlete s parent or legal guardian. Page 9 v.5-20/10/2017
PARENT/GUARDIAN S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR MINORS I/we am/are the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the athlete signing this Agreement and acknowledge as follows: 1. The athlete is under the age of 18 years at the date of signing this Acknowledgement. 2. I/we have read and understood the terms of the Acknowledgement and have fully explained the terms of this Acknowledgement to the athlete. 3. The athlete has read this Acknowledgement and, together with the benefit of our explanation, understands its terms. Signed by the parent/guardian ) In the presence of: )... (witness, not being the athlete or the athlete s parent or guardian) Date: Page 10 v.5-20/10/2017