Welsh Athletics Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014 Athlete Selection Policy Introduction 1 This selection policy has been agreed by Welsh Athletics and Commonwealth Games Council for Wales (CGCW). It provides detail on the process by which Welsh Athletics will arrive at its nominations for selection of athletes within the Welsh Team in Glasgow 2014 which will be submitted to CGCW for consideration. 2 In all cases, selection by Welsh Athletics represents a nomination to CGCW for selection. The final decision in selection to the 2014 Games lies with CGCW. Achievement of the selection criteria therefore represents eligibility for nomination, not selection or even nomination. 3 Welsh Athletics will nominate only those athletes that have qualified under both the Welsh Athletics selection criteria stated below, and the CGCW General Selection Criteria (available on the CGCW website) that should be read in conjunction with this policy. Selection Policy Aim 4 To select a team of athletes capable of competing with distinction at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, with the individuals and or the team having the ability to achieve at least a top eight placing in the anticipated field. Athlete Eligibility 5 The eligibility criteria of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Article 24, must be met by all nominees, see Appendix 1. 6 Where prospective team members do not comply with the above they will only be nominated for final selection if they receive prior dispensation from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). Welsh Athletics selection document G2014Page 1
Games Competition Format 7 The following events will be contested at the 2014 Commonwealth Games within the Athletics programme; Men 100m, 100m (T37), 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 1500m (T54), 5000m, 10000m, 3000m steeplechase, 400m hurdles, 110m hurdles, 4 x 100m Relay, 4 x 400m Relay, Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault, Shot Put, Discus, Discus (F42/44), Hammer, Javelin, Decathlon, Marathon Women 100m, 100m (T12), 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 1500m (T54), 5000m, 10000m, 3000m steeplechase, 400m hurdles, 100m hurdles, 4 x 100m Relay, 4 x 400m Relay, Long Jump, Long Jump (F37/38), Triple Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault, Shot Put, Discus, Hammer, Javelin, Heptathlon, Marathon Selection criteria 8 CGCW requires that athletes have the ability to finish in the top 8 or a minimum of a top half placing, whichever is the higher standard, or to have the ability to enhance medal potential for the Team Event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. To demonstrate this, Welsh Athletics and CGCW have agreed the following criteria: Welsh Athletics will organise Commonwealth Games Trials ( the Trials ) for all disciplines except the marathon and combined events. The first eligible athlete in the final of each discipline at the Trials will be automatically nominated for that discipline provided that either; i) they have achieved a Welsh Athletics A standard (as set out in paragraph 12 below) in the discipline; or ii) they have achieved two Welsh Athletics B standards (as set out in paragraph 12 below) in the discipline. The Welsh Athletics Selection Panel ( The Panel ) will nominate other athletes using the criteria and procedures that follow. 9 To be nominated to the CGCW, athletes must; i) compete at the Trials* ii) and do so in the discipline in which they wish to compete in at the Games* Note: There will not be a trials event for Marathon or combined events so this criteria does not apply to these disciplines * Permission to do otherwise must be gained in advance from the National Performance Coach, which will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Welsh Athletics selection document G2014Page 2
10 The number of athletes that can be entered for a discipline is set out by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) as follows; a. In an individual discipline, up to three athletes may be entered b. Up to six athletes may be entered for relay events 11 The minimum age of athletes is set by IAAF rules. a. Junior Athletes: any athlete aged 18 or 19 on 31 December in the year of competition (born in 1995 or 1996) may compete in any event except the Marathon b. Male Youth Athletes: any athlete aged 16 or 17 on 31 December in the year of competition (born in 1997 or 1998) may compete in any event except the throwing events, Decathlon, 10000m and Marathon c. Female Youth Athletes: any athlete aged 16 or 17 on 31 December in the year of competition (born in 1997 or 1998) may compete in any event except the 10000m and Marathon d. Athletes younger than 16: no athlete younger than 16 years of age on the 31 December in the year of competition (born in 1999 or later) may be entered 12 Performances are counted as valid Welsh Athletics A or B standards if they; a. meet or exceed the level shown in Table 1.0, and; b. are achieved during the Qualification period (paragraph 14), and; c. are achieved in an Eligible Competition (paragraph 15), and; d. meet the additional criteria (point 16). Welsh Athletics selection document G2014Page 3
Table 1.0 Women Men "B" Standard "A" Standard Event "A" Standard "B" Standard 11.50 11.30 100m 10.20 10.30 100m - T37 12.18 13.02 14.35 13.58 100m - T12 23.60 23.20 200m 20.50 20.85 52.50 51.50 400m 45.50 46.00 2.02.5 2.01.0 800m 1.47.0 1.48.0 4.11.0 4.09.0 1500m 3.39.0 3.41.0 4.14.01 3.28.49 1500m - T54 2.56.79 3.10.03 15.55.0 15.45.0 5000m 13.30.0 13.38.0 N/A 33.00.0 10000m 29.00.0 N/A 10.05.0 9.55.0 3000m S/C 8.38.0 8.45.0 57.60 56.00 400m Hurdles 49.50 50.50 13.50 13.20 100 / 110m Hurdles 13.60 13.90 6.20 6.50 Long Jump 7.95 7.65 3.39 3.63 Long Jump - F37 3.61 3.86 Long Jump - F38 13.00 13.80 Triple Jump 16.90 16.00 1.82 1.88 High Jump 2.23 2.18 4.05 4.20 Pole Vault 5.35 5.10 15.00 16.75 Shot Put 19.00 17.50 52.50 57.00 Discus 60.00 56.00 Discus - F42 40.48 31.94 Discus - F44 45.09 34.77 60.50 63.00 Hammer 70.00 63.00 50.50 59.00 Javelin 79.00 70.00 N/A 5600 Heptathlon / Decathlon 7300 N/A N/A 2.40.0 Marathon 2.18.0 N/A 13 To meet the Qualification Requirements, an eligible athlete must achieve the Welsh Athletics A or B standards as described in Table 2.0 Trials places must be achieved in the same discipline as the relevant Welsh Athletics A and / or B standard. Welsh Athletics selection document G2014Page 4
Table 2.0 Discipline 100m, 100m T37/T12, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 1500m T54, 5000m, 100mH, 110mH, 400mH, 3000mSC, High Jump, Pole Vault, Long Jump, Long Jump F37/38, Triple Jump, Shot Put, Discus Throw, Discus Throw F42/44, Hammer Throw, Javelin Throw 10,000m, Marathon, Heptathlon, Decathlon Relays Nomination Requirements 1. one Welsh Athletics A standard, or; 2. two Welsh Athletics B standards 1. one Welsh Athletics A standard Nominated at the discretion of The Panel 14 Qualifying performances must be achieved within the Qualification Period as defined in Table 3.0 Table 3.0 Discipline 100m, 100m T37/T12, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 1500m T54, 5000m, 10000m, 100mH, 110mH, 400mH, 3000mSC, High Jump, Pole Vault, Long Jump, Long Jump F37/38, Triple Jump, Shot Put, Discus Throw, Discus Throw F42/44, Hammer Throw, Javelin Throw Marathon, Heptathlon, Decathlon Relays Qualification Period From 00:00 (GMT) on 1 April 2013 to 18:00 (GMT) on 1 st June 2014 From 00:00 (GMT) on 1 January 2013 to 18.00 (GMT) on 1 st June 2014 N/A 15 Qualifying performances must be achieved at one of the following competitions; a. Any event organised or sanctioned and certified by the IAAF, its area associations or its member federations b. Any event organised or sanctioned and certified by the IPC, its area associations or its member federations c. Any event organised or sanctioned and certified by UKA Any competitive performances outside of these events will only be given consideration if the validity of the performance is confirmed by the appropriate standard of officials and is accepted at the discretion of the National Performance Coach. Welsh Athletics selection document G2014Page 5
16 Qualifying performances must meet all of the following additional criteria; a. Wind assisted performances will not be accepted (see IAAF rules 260.22d, 260.26.b and 260.27) b. Hand timed performances will not be accepted for qualification purposes, but may be considered in the event of electronic timing failure c. Indoor performances for all field events and for races of 400m or longer will be accepted d. Performances in mixed events between male and female participants, held completely in a stadium, may be accepted under specific circumstances (see IAAF rule 147) e. In all field events, only the single best trial from within a single competition series will be accepted f. Multiple performances in official Championships, of Welsh National level or higher, achieved in the same discipline on a single day, will all be counted. In all other cases only one performance per day will be counted as follows; i. In track events only the fastest official result of the day will be counted ii. In throwing events, only the result of the first competition of the day will be counted iii. In horizontal jumping events only the results of the first competition of the day will be counted unless every mark achieved by the athlete was wind assisted in which case a second competition held under better conditions will count iv. In vertical jumping events only the results of the first competition of the day will be counted unless the competition was abandoned for safety reasons in which case a second competition held under safer conditions will count 17 In coming to its decision, the panel may also consider the following criteria (in any order they see fit); a. Consistency of performances shown by performing at or around the qualification standard within the qualification period b. Previous championship performances c. Position at the trials, where relevant d. Head to head competitive records e. Current form and fitness (athletes may be asked to undertake health and fitness checks prior to nomination to the CGCW or any period thereafter prior to the Games, as required). An example of this might be a 10,000m runner s road time. f. Any other factor(s) which in the panel s opinion will impact on an athlete s ability to finish in the top eights at the Games. 18 Para-Sport athletes must hold a current IPC License and have a permanent IPC Classification 19 The onus of providing evidence of the achievement of a performance rests with the athlete / coach Welsh Athletics selection document G2014Page 6
20 Where an athlete attains the nomination criteria in one event, they may still be nominated for a second event, but would be expected to prioritise the event in which they have achieved the nomination criteria 21 In circumstances deemed appropriate by the National Performance Coach, an athlete may be requested to complete a fitness test prior to nomination to the CGCW 22 In circumstances where there is an obvious case for an athlete who has not achieved the nomination criteria, but who adds to the medal potential of a relay team, then nomination may be considered Selection and Appeals Process 23 The Welsh Athletics Glasgow 2014 Nomination Panel, as appointed by the Board of Directors, will select athletes to be nominated to the CGCW, in accordance with the selection criteria detailed above. 24 The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games qualifying period for Welsh Athletics will end at 18.00 on 1 st June 2014. 25 Following the Welsh Athletics Selection Panel meeting (18.00 20.00 on the 1 st June 2014), Welsh Athletics will telephone and write to all nominated athletes. The National Performance Coach will contact by telephone, in confidence, those athletes whom they consider were very close to nomination but not successful. This will be done between 20.00 and 23.00 on the 1 st June 2014. 26 Athletes not included in the nomination list will have the right to appeal their nonnomination (to Welsh Athletics) until 12.00 noon on the 4 th June 2014. This must be received in writing by the Appeals Panel. 27 Appeals will be considered by the Welsh Athletics Appeals Panel on the 4 th June 2014. All athletes who have appealed will be notified of the decision of the Appeals Panel by telephone and in writing. Telephone notification will be made between 18.00 and 21.00 on the 4 th June 2014. 28 The proposed list of nominees will be submitted to CGCW before 09.00 on the 5 th June 2014. 29 The CGCW selection panel will meet on the 5 th June 2014 and make recommendations to the CGCW Board, who will confirm the team selection by 18.00. 30 Welsh Athletics will confirm both non-selection and selection to nominated athletes by 21.00 on the 5 th June 2014. Welsh Athletics selection document G2014Page 7
31 Athletes will have the right of appeal to the CGCW until 17.00 on 6 th June 2014. 32 CGCW will confirm the final Athletics team selections by 12.00 on the 7 th June 2014 subject to any appeals that may be pending. 33 Nominations must be kept confidential until CGCW have completed their selection process. Nominated / non-nominated athletes are not permitted to make any announcements to the media or general public in any form whatsoever (including any social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook) of their possible confirmed selection or non-selection prior to the official team announcement by the CGCW of such selection. Breech of this clause may impact on an athlete s selection or appeal. 34 Final selection to the Games team is dependent on receipt of relevant information required by CGCW such as the CGF Eligibility form and Team Member Agreement. 35 Details of compulsory Games briefing/fitting session will be announced in Summer 2013. De-selection 36 De-selection from the list of athletes submitted to CGCW may occur as a result of: Failure to meet the standard fitness testing protocols. Failure to adhere to the athlete code of conduct or the Team Member agreement. Appointment of Team Staff 37 The National Performance Coach will act as the Team Leader for Welsh Athletics. The final complement of Welsh Athletics team staff attending the Games (including Team Managers and Team Coaches) will ultimately depend upon team size and composition and will be determined by CGCW in consultation with Welsh Athletics after the final team selection is made. Welsh Athletics selection document G2014Page 8
Appendix 1 Eligibility and Conditions for Representation Competitor eligibility and conditions for representing Wales shall be as outlined in the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Constitution and Regulations. This is as follows: ARTICLE 24 Eligibility 1. As a condition of entry to compete in the Commonwealth Games, all competitors must be citizens of the Commonwealth country that enters them and must: a Not be currently under disqualification or suspension by the CGF, of their respective affiliated CGA or International Federation or under the World Anti Doping Code. b Comply with all the applicable rules and regulations of the CGF, their respective International Federations 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; and 2 Subject to Article 24(3) where a competitor was born in a Commonwealth Country that has common citizenship/passport with other Commonwealth countries, the competitor may initially represent either the competitor s Commonwealth country of birth; or the Commonwealth country of birth of his or her father or mother that shares such citizenship/passport. 3. After having represented one Commonwealth country a competitor may not represent another country unless he or she receives the approval of the Federation, the relevant IF and the affiliated CGAs of the two Commonwealth Countries concerned. 4. A competitor who has already competed in the Commonwealth Games for one Commonwealth country may represent another Commonwealth country at a future celebration of the Commonwealth Games with the approval from the Federation and the permission of the CGAs of the two countries concerned, and of the International Federation. 5. it is the responsibility of all affiliated CGAs to ensure that their competitors are fully aware of and comply with the eligibility rules of the Federation. 6. The Executive Board shall have the power to alter or waive the provisions of Articles 24(1-3) in its discretion. Welsh Athletics selection document G2014Page 9
Appendix 2 Appeals Procedure Any appeal against the decision(s) made by the Welsh Athletics Glasgow 2014 Nomination Panel must be submitted to the Appeals Panel, C/O Welsh Athletics, Cardiff International Sports Stadium, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ no later than 12.00 noon on the 4 th June 2014. This process is outlined below: 1. An athlete ( the appellant ) may appeal against the decision of the Welsh Athletics Glasgow 2014 Nomination Panel to Welsh Athletics, Cardiff International Sports Stadium, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ 2 The appellant shall lodge an appeal in writing ( Notice of Appeal ) to the Appeals Panel C/O Welsh Athletics, Cardiff International Sports Stadium, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ no later than 12.00 noon on the 4 th June 2014. The Notice of Appeal should set out in full the basis on which the Appellant wishes to appeal and the remedy sought, and should be accompanied by all relevant documentation which the Appellant wishes to rely on in support of the Appeal. A non-refundable deposit of 50 payable to Welsh Athletics, for administration costs, shall also be sent with the Notice of Appeal. 3. Welsh Athletics will appoint an independent Appeals Panel. 4. The Appeals Panel will consider the appeals on 4 th June 2014. Appellants will be notified of the decision by telephone between 18.00 and 21.00 on the 4 th June 2014. They will also receive written notification thereafter. 5. The decision of the Appeals Panel is final. 6. Costs The costs of an unsuccessful appeal will be met by the Appellant as follows (Excluding the 50 non returnable administration fee); Unsuccessful Appeal - 200 The Appellant is required, when lodging a Notice of Appeal, to forward a cheque to Welsh Athletics for 200 to be held on account pending the outcome of the Appeal. In successful appeals the held cheque will be returned. Welsh Athletics selection document G2014Page 10