KEY POINTS:
Olympic-hopeful athletes have convinced officials to bend a contentious selection criterion for the Beijing Games.
Athletics New Zealand this week sent its top track and field competitors an email saying that even if they were named in the team, they would have to prove their fitness with another top performance between April 1 and July 1.
With the Games due to begin on August 8, several athletes were unhappy, saying the requirement was unreasonable, forcing them to peak too early to be in their best shape during the Olympics.
Kim Smith, who came fifth in the 10,000m at the world championships in Osaka last year and has posted an A-standard Olympic qualifying time, was disappointed to receive the email.
"I do think it's a little bit ridiculous," she said this week. "I want to be training hard from the world indoor champs [in March] until July."
She did not want to be racing again until later in July and did not think it would help her preparation to have to add another race in June.
Sprinter James Dolphin also did not believe the requirement would help him be at his best at the Olympics, saying that he did not plan to be racing in Europe until late June and would be aiming to peak much closer to the Games.
The email was in line with Athletics NZ's selection criteria policy which, under a heading entitled "overriding discretion" includes a clause that says: "Athletes will have to demonstrate their competition fitness ... by attaining appropriate performances at or close to the selection standard ... during the period April 1 to July 1."
Convener of selectors John Bowden said that after discussions this week, officials had decided to change the fitness requirement clause.
Although athletes would still have to prove their form to remain in the team - due to be named by April 16 - there would be flexibility around the date. Dolphin and his coach, for instance, had said they would prefer to fulfil the requirement in early August.
"[The date] will be flexible because coaches and athletes will be figuring out the best plan," said Bowden.
Of Smith's plan to delay racing until July, Bowden said: "She is going to be fine."
Bowden said the selectors would also take into consideration things like conditions so an athlete would not be penalised if their performance was affected by weather, for instance, during a race when they were hoping to prove their fitness.
But Bowden was unapologetic about the idea of athletes having to show that they were in peak shape in the build-up to the Games.
Since last year, Bowden has been clear to athletes that just meeting the qualifying standard will not be enough to make the team.
"The over-riding criteria is the ability to finish in the top-16."
