KEY POINTS:
The clanging of the bell in the 1500m final at Auckland's Mt Smart yesterday was more than just a signal to the runners that this was the last lap. It was also an alert to the crowd: you're about to see something special.
With 400m to go, US-based Wellington runner Nick Willis accelerated, blitzing the last lap six seconds faster than his rivals: a world-class athlete was stamping his mark on the national track and field championships.
It was an exultant reminder that as well as being a laid-back celebration of athletics, the three-day event was a precursor to the Olympics.
Willis, fellow runner Kimberley Smith (who waltzed the 5000m on Friday) and shot put supremo Valerie Vili (another Friday victor) were competing as much to relish the atmosphere, their places on the team assured.
For others, the championships had an edge. Ten athletes have bettered the Olympic "A" qualifying standard. That, however, is not enough. This year, the selectors have said consistency and the ability to finish in the top 16 in Beijing are as vital.
Watching closely throughout the weekend was selector John Bowden, whose panel will have to decide upon the bulk of the squad over the next two weeks, before the Olympic committee announces the team on April 16.
"Overall, those athletes who have had to front up, have," Bowden said.
Former world champion discus-thrower Beatrice Faumuina had most to prove. On Saturday night, she threw 61.73m, the first time she has beaten the 61m A standard in 14 months, and sent two more over 60m.
Faumuina said her series of throws was probably the best she had put together in several years and affirmed the technical changes she has adopted under a new coaching team this year.
It will not, however, guarantee her a spot. Bowden said it was neat to see Faumuina throw those distances, but as with all athletes, the selectors would study more than one-off performances.
"We'll be looking at past performances in major championships and major meetings - it's not just about meeting a standard."
Willis, whose 3m 44.46s victory over Samoa's Aunese Curreen was a respectable international time, will count on his Commonwealth gold medal and his 10th at last year's world championships to make his case for inclusion.
After the race, he said time was not the most important factor yesterday, admitting he ran 22km two days ago and 13km yesterday morning.
"When I get to Europe ... where I'm really cracking out to try and run 3:30, that's when I'll be trying to eke out every last millimetre for a fraction of a second."
In the 200m, another Beijing hopeful, James Dolphin (20.91s), headed off impressive Auckland youngster Jeffrey Thumath (21.02s), making up for his disappointment from Friday night when he finished third in a tight 100m finish.
Dolphin will race in Europe in mid-June before hopefully joining the team in Hong Kong for training.
Auckland's Monique Williams clinched the 100m, 200m and 400m titles for the second year in a row, the first time that feat has been achieved since Kim Robertson did it in 1982-1983.
* QUALIFYING
Athletes who have bettered Olympic A qualifying standards
Valerie Vili (shot put)
Nick Willis (1500m)
Kimberley Smith (10,000m)
Beatrice Faumuina (discus)
James Dolphin (200m)
Nina Rillstone (marathon)
Stuart Farquhar (javelin)
Adrian Blincoe (5000m)
Michael Aish (marathon)
Liza Hunter-Galvan (marathon)
Selectors have said an A-standard performance does not automatically qualify an athlete for the team.
