Olympics: Selection loopholes closed

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Major New Zealand sports are confident they will not face the same appeals that have stung Yachting New Zealand.

That view is shared by the National Olympic Committee, which does not expect an avalanche of appeals following yesterday's ruling from the Sports Disputes Tribunal in favour of two yachting crews.

Swimming New Zealand and Cycling New Zealand, challenged by Toni Jeffs and Graeme Miller respectively over selections for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, have moved to close any selection loopholes.

"We revised our selection policy after Sydney," BikeNZ's sport development officer Geoff Campbell said yesterday. "The criteria for Athens is pretty specific and takes away any subjective element.

"The cyclists have been spoken to on a one-on-one basis and know what is expected. We feel confident we have covered the bases. We don't have trials at this level any more. We are more interested in consistency."

Swimming New Zealand chief executive Catriona McBean is confident her sport, too, has it right.

"There is no grey area. A swimmer must compete at the national open championships and do the time," McBean said. "If you don't do the time, you don't go. The only out is in the case of injury. That is very specific.

"We have locked ourselves into a finite time which must be swum. Even then, we, like other sports, can only make nominations. The final selection is in the hands of the National Olympic Committee."

Rowing is the next cab off the selection rank when they make their Olympic nominations today.

Again, chief executive Craig Ross is happy with his selection process.

"We have a very robust and transparent policy. We have been very open about it," Ross said. "We are confident the best athletes will be selected. All the rowers know what the criteria is. It has been well spelt out that selection is more than just fronting at the trials.

"We have the situation where certain people qualified boats in various classes, but they do not have any extra rights when it comes to selection."

New Zealand Equestrian Federation chief executive Larry Graham said his sport had laid down a criteria to ensure a competitive team in Athens.

"All competitors have been made aware of our selection process," Graham said. "We had to win quota spots, but that was no guarantee on who would be going to the Olympics."

National Olympic Committee chief executive Barry Maister said he did not believe the tribunal's ruling would open it up for "young and old".

"Yachting New Zealand's criteria was quite specific but I would like to think other sports have an even clearer criteria," Maister said. "We have worked with each sport."