Olympic selection on the line in London next weekend

by Merryn Sherwood on 29 Jul, 2011 08:22 • Español

While it’s still 12 months until the triathlon competitions at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the start lists for both the men’s and women’s gold medal races could become a little clearer after the 2011 Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series London round next weekend.

While the number of places on the start line for each country comes down to a complex qualifying system, plenty of National Federations have set London as an part of their national qualifying criteria. Put simply, it means that some athletes can secure their Olympic spots next weekend.

One of those most likely to gain that early qualification is Paula Findlay. Canada’s qualification rules state that an athlete needs to finish top eight in London, and at least one top eight finish in an Dextro Energy Triathlon Series event between 1 June 2010 and 31 May 2011. Findlay has won three series titles in that time, and comes into London as the defending champion.

U.S athletes also have a straightforward way of gaining an automatic qualification, the two highest finishing athletes in London – providing they come in the top nine - will qualify. Sarah Groff, who became the first ever American woman to win a Dextro Energy Triathlon Series medal when she finished third in Kitzbühel, and Laura Bennett both have multiple top nine finishes already this season. In the men’s field, Hunter Kemper hasn’t competed in many series races so far this year, but he does have a World Cup win and two World Cup podiums to his name this year. If Kemper can qualify, it will be his fourth successive Olympics Games.

New Zealand’s Andrea Hewitt is also in a prime position to secure her ticket London. New Zealand’s policy states that the two highest placed athletes from the London race will gain selection, as long as they finish in the top ten. Hewitt has finished inside the top ten every time except once in the series this year, in Kitzbühel. Other Kiwis to watch are Kate McIlroy , who finished sixth in Madrid. Among the men, two-time Olympic medallist Bevan Docherty is a good chance. He finished 10th in Kitzbühel and is coming off a win at the Edmonton World Cup.

France has two spots up for grabs if its athletes finish in the top eight finish in London.  As medallists already in 2011 David Hauss and Emmie Charayron are well placed. For the German team, there are two spots available for the first two finishers in the top 12. For, Svenja Bazlen has three top-12 finishes so far in the 2011 series. While reigning Olympic men’s champion Jan Frodeno hasn’t had the best luck in 2011, but he will be keen to book his spot for London 2012 to defend his title.

But for most countries, London is just the start of the process. Australian triathletes looking for that automatic qualifying spot need to win London and then finish in the top three in the final 2011 Dextro Energy Triathlon Series standings.

Swiss triathletes need to first finish top ten in London and then get a confirmation result in 2012, which is a top 15 finish in the Dextro Energy Triathlon Series, top five in a World Cup race or top five in the 2012 European Championships.

Great Britain’s selection criteria includes a podium in either London or Beijing this year, plus another Dextro Energy Triathlon Series podium, but is largely based on discretion from selectors.

All selections are ultimately at the discretion of each National Federation and each National Olympic Committee, and will not be finalised until next year.

For more information on the ITU’s qualification system for London please click here

Click here for more on the London 2012 Olympic Games


Article gallery
Related Event: 2011 Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series London
06 - 07 Aug, 2011 • event pageall results
Results: Elite Women
1. Helen Jenkins GBR 02:00:34
2. Gwen Jorgensen USA 02:00:41
3. Anja Dittmer GER 02:00:49
4. Emma Jackson AUS 02:00:51
5. Emma Snowsill AUS 02:00:52
Results: Elite Men
1. Alistair Brownlee GBR 01:50:09
2. Alexander Bryukhankov RUS 01:50:34
3. Jonathan Brownlee GBR 01:51:04
4. Javier Gomez Noya ESP 01:51:16
5. Steffen Justus GER 01:51:25
Results: Para Triathlon Male TRI-6
1. Sean Grundy GBR 01:12:21
2. Haseeb Ahmad B1 GBR 01:12:22
3. Jack Garner GBR 01:41:34
Results: Para Triathlon Male TRI-5
1. JP Theberge USA 01:11:58
2. Martin Falch AUT 01:12:29
3. Matthew Emmerson GBR 01:16:20
4. Mikel Garmendia ESP 01:18:10
5. Kev Flint GBR 01:18:38
Results: Para Triathlon Male TRI-4
1. Péter Boronkay HUN 01:09:11
2. Martins Drusts LAT 01:11:04
3. Tommy Knapp USA 01:13:18
4. Tom Perkins GBR 01:14:46
5. Rob Noordzij NED 01:15:07
Results: Para Triathlon Male TRI-3
1. Steven Judge GBR 01:16:37
2. Sebastian Averesch GER 01:20:51
3. James Smith GBR 01:26:16
4. Paul Thomas GBR 01:43:56
DSQ. Chris Wagner RSA DSQ
Results: Para Triathlon Male TRI-2
1. Stephane Bahier FRA 01:17:05
2. Oswald Kydd RSA 01:19:35
3. David Peiffer FRA 01:21:03
4. Javier Merida ESP 01:43:48
Results: Para Triathlon Male TRI-1
1. Francesc Sola Garcia ESP 01:14:08
2. James Goddard GBR 01:17:41
3. Pierre Ouellet H1 CAN 01:23:49
4. Rafael López Ordoñez ESP 01:27:54
5. Alan Rayment GBR 01:31:20
Results: Para Triathlon Female TRI-6
1. Joleen Hakker B1 NED 01:16:57
2. Melissa Reid B3 GBR 01:17:41
3. Susana Rodriguez B1 ESP 01:17:42
DNF. Sara Butler GBR DNF
Results: Para Triathlon Female TRI-4
1. Faye McClelland GBR 01:13:35
2. Lauren Steadman GBR 01:15:45
3. Clare Cunningham GBR 01:17:32
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