Athletics body seek to extend Athens qualification date

THERE will be no last minute race for qualifying standards for next year’s Olympic Games and Irish athletes will be selected only if they achieve the A standards as the Olympic Council of Ireland strives to get the best prepared team ever to Athens.

The OCI have set June 30 as the cut off point for achieving the standards laid down for selection but the Athletic Association of Ireland are to seek to have this date extended and brought in line with all other countries.

International Secretary, Liam Hennessy said yesterday they would be hoping that the national senior championships would be the final date for posting a qualification standard with the team to be selected that day, if necessary, by the Olympic Council.