Editorial: Raw Games deal for Radford

Kane Radford.

The alarm goes off just after 5am and you wonder if getting up every morning at this hour is worth it.

But you picture yourself in the New Zealand uniform walking among fellow elite athletes representing your country at the Olympics opening ceremony at Rio and the decision to train so hard twice a day is an easy one.

Who knows if that's how Rotorua's Kane Radford has felt these past years as he's prepared for his first Olympics, but one thing's for sure, today he will be devastated.

The 25-year-old's hopes of being nominated for the 10km Open Water event have been dashed.

Swimming New Zealand selectors have made the controversial announcement they will not nominate any open water swimmers for selection to the Olympics, despite Radford qualifying.

It's a rather complicated situation but here are the details. Ten places for the Rio event were selected at last year's world championships with a further 10 places decided at the FINA 10km marathon swimming qualifier in Portugal.

New Zealanders Radford, Phillip Ryan and Charlotte Webby finished 19th, 34th and 31st respectively, so missed out directly.

FINA, the world's ruling body, offers one additional quota place for the leading swimmer from each of the five global regions representing nations not already qualified.

With Australia qualified, New Zealand was the next highest nation from Oceania.

But our selectors were not satisfied either of the swimmers was capable of achieving the published nomination criteria, which are that an individual swimmer must achieve a top 16 placing at the Games with the potential to win an Olympic Diploma (top eight placing).

As a taxpayer whose money is helping to fund athletes at the Games, I understand New Zealand's need to ensure we are putting our best foot forward.

But Radford has technically qualified and it seems a heart-rending blow this close to the big event.

For 10 years Radford has represented his country and this newspaper has followed his career proudly.

His camp has confirmed they are considering an appeal and his lawyer has said he has strong grounds.

If the appeal is allowed, Radford will do us proud.