Is team selection a reward or just for potential medalists?

Is team selection a reward or just for potential medalists?

It is a perennial discussion before every championship. Should British Athletics take up every slot available to them, ie taking the biggest possible team. Or should they restrict the team to only those who are likely to make a final. There is, of course, a third way or one takes potential finalists but adds a few young athletes to give them the experience?

On the one hand, it is argued that any athlete who has earned the right to selection by running /jumping/throwing the required qualifying time/distance should be selected. The counter argument is by only selecting probable finalists you create a winning mentality, as everyone expects to challenge for medals. The point here is that you are selected because you are good enough to compete for medals. You are not selected as a reward for winning  your national championship.

An experienced coach once said to me that teams don’t increase the number of backroom staff as a team size increases.  This can mean, for example, that it is harder for the potential medallists to get treatments  with more athletes and the same number of therapists.

Friday morning was a disappointing morning for team GB:

W800

Isabelle Boffey 16^th out of 29. Grace Vans Agnew 24^th out of 29.

M800

Justin Davies qualified on time. Jack Higgins’ time was 17^th out of 29, Thomas Randolph 22nd

M400
Alex Haydock-Wilson 21^st out of 28, Efekemo Okoro 23^rd.

There were some excellent performances  among first-timers. In the 400 Poppy Malik ran a PR; she did not make the semi-final but you can’t ask for more. Alice Hopkins was 10^th in the long jump with eight progressing. Erin Wallace in the W800 ran the seventh fastest time but qualification was just first three in 4 heats.

It is interesting to read  the athletes’ assessment of their performances. To be fair this is an instant reaction in the middle of the emotion of the occasion – not a considered reflection 24 hours later.

Jack Higgins

“First time at a champs, and I hope it’s the first of many, they’re all learning experiences. Learning how different athletes learn and use their time.”

Erin Wallace

I wasn’t sure it was something I would be able to handle, so I am proud of myself for putting myself back into this environment. I am happy I put myself back out there again as I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to do that.

 Grace Vans Agnew 

  It was a great experience for me as it is my first champs; I was taking it all in. I didn’t have any expectations of myself and just wanted to enjoy it. I was trying to stay calm in the warm-up area and not get too nervous.

Isabelle Boffey 

I just went a bit too early. I’m disappointed in myself because that wasn’t my race plan. I’m just frustrated with myself. I am so much more calm and collected than that.

Poppy Malik

 I’m a little bit split. Part of me is so, so grateful to be here it is such an amazing experience and I’ve learnt so much more already. Half of me is a little but disappointed, I did want to run faster but I’ve got so many more races ahead of me.

Alex Haydock-Wilson
I wasn’t ready for the boxing match! It felt quite comfy, it just all got tangled. I was like ‘oh this is lost’, but then I was going through and feeling well ‘you know what I am still going fast, I have strength in my legs’ but we got to that last 30 and I’d just not found my stride and didn’t get to wind it up.

Efe Okoro
I am a little gutted, but it is what it is; I did my best. It wasn’t easy from lane one. It is a nice atmosphere and it is good to put on a Union Jack and run for the country.

I find it easier to see the issue than to offer a coherent solution.