What’s the point? Travel across ocean just to run in the heats?
Some folks have been puzzled about non-Europeans being invited to compete in the late-March Eurovets indoor championships in Poland. Now it gets even more mystifying. A top masters official tells me: “I have had two explanations [about “out of competition” entrants] that do not answer the question, so I will summarize as this: Outsiders can enter [the Eurovets meet], but they will only be able to compete in the first rounds of competitions in lanes or field events [with] more than 8 athletes; they will not be able to compete in a final round in these events. In the long distance events where there are no heats they will be able to compete in two pools.” Say what? Sounds like complete absurdity. My source agrees, saying: “Basically they have not thought out the rules properly at the present time.”
2 Responses
I addressed the dilemma of foreign competitors displacing U.S. competitors in our National Masters Championships back in NMN (November 2000).
http://www.ortmanmarchand.com/fs9.html
Do we really expect the Eurovets to hold Eurovet Indoor championships and then invite the rest of the world in to possibly take up a number of lanes in sprint/hurdle finals?
For some masters athletes, participating in a National Masters Meet may be a once or twice in a lifetime experience. Another goal may be to make the finals of a national meet event. It does seem odd that one might not advance to the finals of our national meet because of displacement by a non-US competitor.
Here is the current USATF Masters Championship Meet rule 332.2(g):
“At National Track and Field Championships, the
athletes advanced to the final in every event shall
consist of at least 2/3rds [66%] who are USA affiliated as determined by WMA.
If adjustments are needed to meet this requirement,
then the reduction in guest finalists shall be
determined by performance with no consideration
to place.
Those USA affiliated athletes that were advanced
to the finals by place shall retain their position
and the additional USA affiliated athletes that
will be added to the final shall be selected by
performance with no consideration to place.
The number of finalists shall not be increased
to include additional non-USA affiliated athlete
finalists.”
To simplify the math, for US Masters Championships,if you have a nine lane 60m indoor or 100m outdoor finals, three of the finalists could be “guests.” You could have the 7th fastest US semi time and not make a final.
If you stick to eight lanes, only two “guests” could advance, but the 7th fastest US semi-time would still not make a final.
Thanks for the info-
Looks like Eurovets allows about 9 men to make the final of the 800. So they should allow up to three non Euro athletes to qualify. The top athletes want to race the best competition anyway. Displacing a 7th or 8th pace qualifier wouldn’t normally have any affect on the medal outcome.
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