KEY POINTS:
Liza Hunter-Galvan has won her fight against Athletics New Zealand selectors and been nominated for the marathon at the Beijing Olympic Games.
The United States-based runner was not included in the initial nominations for the Games, even though she had run an A qualifying time after finishing fifth in two hours 30 minutes 40 seconds in the Amsterdam marathon last October.
Her nomination comes after she successfully appealed to the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand which directed that the selectors to reconsider their decision.
The tribunal said there should have been a further factual inquiry into Hunter-Galvan's previous performances at the Athens Olympics, Helsinki world championships and the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Her performances in those events had counted strongly against her nomination.
The tribunal also felt that indications she may not be able to perform well in the hot Beijing conditions should be examined more closely.
Athletics NZ chief executive Scott Newman said that while the process was difficult for all parties, he believed it demonstrated that the selection process had worked.
"Liza felt that there were factors that the selectors had not initially considered correctly and brought an appeal as she was entitled to do," he said in a statement.
"While we did not agree with the tribunal's decision to force a reconsideration, we accepted the process and as it has played out it has become clear that there was information that was not initially at hand.
"In fact some information only became available during the appeal process and at the hearing of the appeal before the sports tribunal.
"In the end, all of that information has come out and we are now pleased to be able to nominate Liza."
Newman said the selectors have acted with "great integrity" and drew on many years of experience in considering all the nominations.
"It is clearly a difficult job they are asked to do by the sport, particularly where the selection criteria require that they are satisfied that athletes have the ability to meet demanding levels of performance at the Olympic Games.
"In Liza's case the tribunal dismissed all allegations of bias made against the selectors and entrusted them with the reconsideration of the nomination.
"The decision was far from straightforward and the selectors took nearly three hours in their deliberations," he said.
"The bar has been set very high for these Olympic Games and our selectors needed to be convinced that every athlete nominated to the NZ Olympic Committee is indeed capable of achieving a top 16 placing in Beijing."
Newman said it was time to move forward.
"Liza is a welcome addition to the team."
- NZPA
