New Zealand confirms six Olympic nominations as Tri NZ tops the Olympic rankings race
Thursday 12 June 2008, 3:00PM
By Triathlon NZ
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Triathlon New Zealand has today had confirmation that all six athletes nominated for the Beijing Olympic Games will indeed be on the start line in August.
While athletes had met the criteria and the NZOC had approved their selection, the final approval came from the International Triathlon Union yesterday when the ITU’s 2 year qualification period ended following the Vancouver World Championships.
Essentially that process finds the top 8 countries in the sport, each of which earns 3 spots on the start line in either men’s or women’s races (rankings are separate for both).
In an incredible story for a country the size of New Zealand, the sport of triathlon here has topped the Olympic qualification rankings in men and is ranked second in the women, clearly marking New Zealand as the current number one nation in the sport worldwide based on the depth of its third ranked athletes.
Triathlon NZ CEO Dave Beeche says it is a huge achievement for the sport.
“Earning 3 automatic spots on the start line in both men’s and women’s races at Beijing is no mean feat. Competition in the sport is growing day by day with new countries and new athletes making great improvements in their performances and rankings, putting pressure on some of the traditional power houses in the sport. It is incredible to think that Spain and Australia are two that have missed the maximum representation of athletes, putting in perspective just how competitive the sport is worldwide.
“This is testament to our qualification programme but also to the depth of athletes we have on the world stage. Take it one step further and consider that other countries would love to have the likes of Terenzo Bozzone and Nicky Samuels racing for them in Beijing, and they are both fourth ranked in New Zealand and have missed games selection. In Bevan, Kris, Shane, Sam, Debbie and Andrea we have one of the strongest teams we have ever sent away to a major championship, one that will do us proud I’m sure.”
The International Triathlon Union ranks countries for the purpose of awarding starting positions in both men’s and women’s races, with fields limited to 55 athletes in each.
New Zealand Olympic Team
Bevan Docherty Taupo
Kris Gemmell Palmerston North
Shane Reed New Plymouth
Samantha Warriner Whangarei
Debbie Tanner Auckland
Andrea Hewitt Christchurch
ITU Olympic Qualification period comes to a thrilling end
A battle to the wire brings 37 countries to the Beijing Olympics
The International Triathlon Union has issued the preliminary number of Olympic triathlon spots each country has earned with the conclusion of the Vancouver BG Triathlon World Championships this past weekend, the final event in ITU's 2-year Olympic qualifying period. Only eight countries may send the maximum three men and three women to the Beijing Olympic Games.
The Olympic fields are capped at 55 men and 55 women. In all, 37 different countries will be represented at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games triathlon. An increase on the 32 countries represented in Athens in 2004.
The top countries in the women's Olympic rankings that will send the maximum of three women to Beijing are:
1 - United States
2 - New Zealand
3 - Germany
4 - Australia
5 - Japan
6 - Switzerland
7 - Canada
8 - Austria
With Sarah Haskins' silver medal at world championships, the United States leapt to the top of the standings. Kate Allen's eighth place finish at the world championships, coupled with a poor performance by France's Marion Lorblanchet and the absence of Britain's Michelle Dillon, pulled Austria ahead of France and Great Britain for the final place.
The top countries in the men's Olympic rankings that will send the maximum of three men to Beijing are:
1 - New Zealand
2 - Germany
3 - Great Britain
4 - France
5 - United States
6 - Switzerland
7 - Russia
8 - Canada
Going into the men's world championship race on Sunday, four countries were in a fierce battle for the final three spots. However, Australia struggled in Vancouver and for the first time will not send a full men's team to the Olympics. In contrast, for the first time Canada and Russia will be able to send three men to Beijing.
National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have until July 6 to inform ITU of use of qualification places. Many National Federations have already nominated athletes however, all Olympic teams will be official on July 6. A continually updated list of nominated athletes is available at ITU's Olympic site