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Tough Olympic qualifying standards

Published:Monday | December 30, 2019 | 1:32 AMHubert Lawrence/Gleaner Writer
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (right), of Jamaica, finishes ahead of Dina Asher-Smith (left), of Britain, and Marie-Josée Ta Lou (second right), of The Ivory Coast, in the women’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar on September 29, 2019. Also pictured is Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah, who finished fourth.
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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (right), of Jamaica, finishes ahead of Dina Asher-Smith (left), of Britain, and Marie-Josée Ta Lou (second right), of The Ivory Coast, in the women’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar on September 29, 2019. Also pictured is Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah, who finished fourth.

Some Jamaicans have already achieved the qualifying standards for next year’s Olympic track and field competition. That’s because of a change made to the period in which athletes can attain the standards. In a revision of previous policy, the qualifying periods runs from May 1, 2019 to June 29, 2020 for most events.

Previously, qualifying marks had to be attained in the same year of the meet.

The Olympic qualifying standards should ensure a high quality competition in Tokyo, Japan, which will host the Games next July and August. That means, for example, that Yohan Blake, Tyquendo Tracey, Waseem Williams and Asafa Powell have already attained the required qualifying standard in the 100m.

For women, the corresponding qualifying marks are 11.15, 22.80, 51.35, 1.59.50, 12.84, 55.40, 6.82, 14.32, 18.50 and 63.50 respectively.

From a Jamaican standpoint, only three ladies have so far attained the qualifying standard for the 200m. They are reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, reigning 100m World champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and world 100m hurdles finalist Janeek Brown at 22.00, 22.22 and 22.40 seconds respectively. By contrast, six Jamaicans, led by Fraser-Pryce, have the standard in the 100m.

Lofty marks

Some lofty marks are on this list. For example, the men’s 800m mark is 0.01 superior to the Jamaican record and only one Jamaican – national champion Kemar Mowatt – bettered the 400m hurdles requirement in 2019. On the women’s side, the long jump qualifying standard of 6.82m matches the best jump by a Jamaican in 2019. The period for marathoners to obtain qualifying marks for the Olympics began in January 2019.

Athletes will also be able to qualify by virtue of their position of the sport’s new world ranking system.

Qualifying standard

Men’s

100m: 10.05s

200m: 20.24s

400m: 44.90s

800m: 1:45.30 minutes

110m hurdles: 13.32s

400m hurdles: 48.90s

Long jump: 8.22m

Triple jump: 17.14m

Shot put: 21.10m

Discus throw: 66.00m

Women’s

100m: 11.15s

200m: 22.80s

400m: 51.35s

800m: 1:59.50 minutes

100m hurdles: 12.84s

400m hurdles: 55.40s

Long jump: 6.82m

triple jump: 14.32m

Shot put: 18.50m

Discus throw: 63.50m