By Kyle Merber
February 28, 2024
Let’s take a moment to appreciate one thing about USATF: they’ll fill out the squad! And if I am exhausted writing about how asinine the British Athletics selection procedure is surrounding global championships then imagine how the athletes must feel.
The latest victim is Guy Learmonth, the Scottish 800m runner. Yea, that Scotland. The one where the World Championships are next weekend! Despite a small squad made up of just 20 individual athletes and a 4 x 400m relay, the federation has opted to not take one of its own qualified athletes. There will be 16 members of the support staff.
Despite being selected via his world ranking, Learmonth did not meet the harder standards set by British Athletics, which completely undermines the efforts of World Athletics to legitimize the methodology of filling 50% of the fields this way. But according to the individual selection policy, to represent Great Britain & Northern Ireland in this way:
“Athletes must have a performance level that, in the sole discretion of The Panel, meets the state’s aims of the policy - to contribute to medal success or finish in the Top 8.”
The Herald
In other words, it’s subjective. Learmonth ran 1:46.80 to win a race in Germany earlier this month before finishing second at the British Championships. The winner of the race, Jack Higgins, does not have a qualifier and will not be selected. The hosts of the World Championships have decided it’s better to have no one entered in the men’s 800m. It’s not embarrassing for an athlete to finish in 9th place, but it is embarrassing to run your organization this way. This is such an egregious omission that fellow athletes, who are themselves competing, are not afraid to speak out and lend their support.
What’s the worst thing that could happen if Guy Learmonth runs? A young Scottish kid is inspired by seeing an athlete from their country compete on the international stage. Instead, this sends a different message: play soccer or switch your allegiance.
The aim for every British athlete therefore is to hit the ridiculously difficult qualifying standards outright so that there could be no debate. For Guy Learmonth, that target for the Olympics will be 1:44.70. Last summer, he ran 1:44.80 – something tells me that won’t be good enough.
Kyle Merber
After hanging up his spikes – but never his running shoes – Kyle pivoted to the media side of things, where he shares his enthusiasm, insights, and experiences with subscribers of The Lap Count newsletter, as well as viewers of CITIUS MAG live shows.
