Athletics Canada finalizes complete Olympic Games Selection Criteria

Monday, March 03, 2008

OTTAWA – Athletics Canada finalized today the 2008 full Olympic team selection document by publishing the Olympic Games Selection Criteria.  The qualifying standards component and the related repeatability chart were finalized and published on November 29, 2007.

·         Athletics Canada’s Olympic Games Selection Criteria

Martin Goulet, Athletics Canada Chief High Performance Officer, “Our commitment to timely communication with our athletes and coaches is imperative.   With the publication of our draft Olympic standards in early June 2007, we were already setting the tone to sound Olympic preparation.”  Goulet adds, “Timely accurate information leads to improved planning, and a higher incidence of superior results.  The Selection Criteria has been designed to ensure that, once selected, our athletes will have the confidence to succeed at the Games.

The Beijing selection criteria were established to accurately reflect performance readiness indicating an athlete’s capability of finishing in the top 12 at the Olympics.  Of note in Athletics Canada’s stated objectives is to capture two medals.  Goulet comments on Athletics Canada’s objectives, “Success can be defined in many ways, beyond our target of two medals,  we are committed to other important success indicators such as a high percentage of our athletes reaching a final, a clear majority finishing within the top half of the field, or achieving seasonal best performances.  With strong results in Osaka last year and with a stable and experienced coaching and medical staff under the leadership of Head Coach Les Gramantik, we are confident we will reach the targets we have set for Beijing.”   

The Olympic Games selection Trials will take place in Windsor, ON, July 3 to 6.  The team will be publicly announced and presented to Canada on July 7.  The 2008 Olympic Games will be held in Beijing, China, August 8 to 24, 2008. Athletics will take place in the second half of the Games beginning August 15.

New to the selection criteria is a National Relay Program Athlete Agreement which clearly outlines the principles whereby eligible athletes must adhere by.  

Athletics Canada is the national sport governing body for the sport of track and field, cross-country running, road running and road racing.

-AC-

For more information:
Mathieu Gentès
Marketing and Communications Manager
Athletics Canada
mgentes@athletics.ca
Office: 613-260-5580 ext. 3303

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