Roger Ruth schreef: > Two messages yesterday about selections for the World Cup European team leave > me wondering about the processes by which this team and others are selected.
<<Skipped the part about Feofanova and Dragila>> > It is much less clear how Netherland's Monique de Wilt becomes the European > representative. I applaud her selection. She has worked long and hard to gain > her status in the event, improving the NED record fifteen times since 1995. > But I can't visualize an objective selection process that would choose her > over fifteen other European vaulters (thirteen, if you eliminate Feofanova > and Janine Whitlock) with higher marks for the season. > Could someone offer details of the Euro team selection process? Reporting on De Wilt before, I of course cannot let this invitation be unanswered. The case is in fact quite simple. First: Not withstanding the title 'European team', the World Cup is of course not a competition between continents as such. Several of the best individual nationals (like the US, Russia etc.) are entered in the competition with a national teams. (other) Athletes of these countries are not selected in the 'continental' team (BTW: I believe this is mostly a European 'problem'). Second: That being the case, I understand the selection for the European team was very straightforward: the result of the European championships decided the selection. In Munich, the result was as follows: 1. Feofanova (RUS) - but the Russian women have their own World Cup team. 2. Isinbayeva (RUS) - the Russian women have their own World Cup team. 3. Buschbaum (GER) - the German women have their own World Cup team. 4. Beljakova (RUS) - the Russian women... 5. Becker (GER) - <...> 6. Monique de Wilt (NED). 7/8. Molnar (HUN)/Rogovska (POL). 9. Belin (SWE) 11. Boslak (FRA) Thus: Monique de Wilt is selected for the European team. QED. Note: And indeed, several athletes (also some non-RUS and non-GER) have jumped higher than De Wilt (NR 4.40) this season. Like Pyrek/POL (4.62), Molnar (4.52), Belin (4.51) and two French women (4.46). But: they did not make it to the final in Munich (Pyrek), or finished behind De Wilt (like Molnar, Belin, Boslak/FRA). So, like in every qualification trial, one has to perform on the moment supreme. On the other hand: it is now up to De Wilt to (again) prove herself. > And, for that matter, that for other teams? The USATF website gives first > choice of selection to the national champion. How is the team selected for > Africa, Asia, etc? > Cheers, Roger It is my understanding the African team was selected, quite possibly in the same way as the European team, at the African championships (held concurrently with the Europeans). Indeed, I read several of the 'big names' apparently forfeited the Commonwealth Games (just before) to compete in the African championships - specifically to qualify for the 'big prize' World Cup... There must be others who know more about Asia, Dragila and Feofanova... Regards, Wilmar Kortleever
