2012 ITU Elite Aquathon World Championships
Auckland, New Zealand
Wednesday 17th October 2012
2.5km run, 1km swim, 2.5km run
1. INTRODUCTION1.1 The Strategic direction of Triathlon New Zealand (Tri NZ), with regard to the selection policy, is to retain and develop talent. Athletes will only be selected in representative teams if the athlete has demonstrated they have the ability to perform with distinction on the World stage.
2.1 This Policy details the process and criteria by which Tri NZ determines the TEAM members to represent Triathlon New Zealand at the ITU Aquathon World Championships.
3.1 Tri NZ reserves the right, at any time, to amend alter or withdraw any clause in its Elite Tri NZ Selection Policy for any legitimate purpose in the best interest of Tri NZ and the sport. Tri NZ shall not be responsible or liable in anyway to any person as a result of such amendment.
4.1 Tri NZ will circulate the Elite Tri NZ Selection Policy to its members and will list the Policy on the Tri NZ web site. Athlete members will be responsible for ensuring they are fully aware and understand the Policy and its contents and any such changes to the Policy should they occur.
5.1 The above Policy is contingent on the International Triathlon Union making no change to the current Race Competition Rules on Elite team size or other eligibility specifications for nations competing at the Aquathon World Championships.
2. ELIGIBILITY2.1 There are specific rules laid down by the ITU regarding eligibility when competing for a National Federation (NF). Rules regarding nationality and citizenship are based on the conditions laid down in the charter of the International Olympic Committee. The requirements for team members are:
a. Competitors must hold a valid license in their NF.
b. Competitors under suspension by ITU or any other NF will not be eligible to compete in ITU competitions.
c. Citizens of a country may represent that country (NF) in ITU competitions. A competitor who has represented one country (NF) in the ITU World Championships may not represent another country (NF) in the World Championships during the same and the next calendar year without the agreement of both NF's concerned.
d. A competitor who possesses dual nationality may only represent one country during the same calendar year. If the competitor chooses to represent the other country in question, he/she must inform both NF's in writing, and during the same and following calendar year he/she shall not be able to represent either of the two countries in the ITU World Championships without the approval of both NF's concerned.
e. A competitor may represent the country of his/her birth and of which he/she is a citizen unless he/she opts to take the nationality of his/her father or mother.
f. A naturalized competitor may not participate in an ITU World Championship to represent his/her new country during the same and the next calendar year without the approval of both NF's concerned. The period following naturalization may be reduced or canceled with the agreement of the NF's concerned and approval of the ITU Executive Board.
g. If a new country recognized by the IOC and ITU is created, a competitor may continue to represent the country to which he/she belongs or belonged. However, he/she may choose to represent his/her new NF if one exists. This choice may only be made once.
h. Athletes residing in a country for at least three years since the date when they last represented another NF in any ITU sanctioned event may compete for their country of residence if the two NF's concerned and the ITU Executive Board agree. This period of residence may be reduced to one year, if the two NF's concerned and the ITU Executive Board agree
An athlete may represent his/her new federation in International Competitions after completing a period of three years continuous residence in his/her new country.
3. ITU COMPETITION RULES3.1 NF's may name the following maximum numbers to their National Elite Team
Open: 6 males and 6 females
U.23: 6 males and 6 females
U.19: 6 males and 6 females
The ITU may increase these numbers at their discretion
4. NOMINATION CLOSING DATE4.1. All athletes who wish to be considered for TEAM positions must notify the Tri NZ Selection Commission of their availability for selection on the appropriate nomination form. Tri NZ Nomination Forms must reach the Triathlon New Zealand office prior to the first selection race. Nomination Forms will be available through the Triathlon New Zealand Office and the Triathlon New Zealand web site. Click here for link to nomination form
5. Tri NZ SELECTION CRITERIA for u19/junior category
5.1 Tri NZ selectors will consider any athlete who is eligible as per ITU rules, and who has made themselves available for selection by completing the selection nomination form.
5.2 The first slot will be granted to the winner of the (U19 category) Aquathon National Champs, Nelson, 11th February 2012
5.3 The next slots will be granted to any athlete that has been selected for the Junior triathlon world champs 2012. (max 3 spots)
5.4 If there are slots remaining, the next place will be granted to the reserve athlete for the Junior triathlon world champs 2012.
5.5 If there are slots remaining, the next place(s) will be offered to any Junior in the HP program (if there are more athletes than spots available the decision will be made at Selectors and National Coach discretion)
5.6 If there are slots remaining, they will be granted to any athlete in the Youth Academy program who is eligible for the U19 category (if there are more athletes than spots available the decision will be made at the discretion of the Elite Selectors and National Coach with input from the Youth Development Manager)
5.7 If there are slots remaining they will be granted to any athlete already selected to race in the age group triathlon world champs 2012 (these athletes will be ranked by race results from the Aquathon National Champs (Nelson 2012) and athletes will be grouped in the elite category they are eligible for i.e. anyone 24 and over will be considered for the Open elite category and ranked accordingly)
5.8 If there are slots remaining they will be granted to any athlete who applies to the selectors in writing providing a history of race results and the decision will be made at the discretion of the selectors
5.9 The final composition of the team will be announced no later than 37 days out from the World Championship event.
6. Tri NZ SELECTION CRITERIA for u23 and Open elite category
6.1 The first slot will be granted to the overall winner of the Aquathon National Champs, Nelson, 11th February, 2012
6.2 The next 3 slots will be granted to athletes based on ITU points rankings
6.3 Any remaining slots will be granted to athletes that provide the selectors a history of race results, current or previous ITU rankings, previous world champs results etc and the decision will be made at the discretion of the selectors
6.4 The final composition of the team will be announced no later than 37 days out from the World Championship event.
7. GENERAL
7.1. Standards - A major selection consideration will be the selection of a team of world class standard and therefore not all positions may be filled.
7.2. Reserves - Reserves may be named for the aquathon team if all positions are filled and the reserve athlete is of world class.
7.3. Special Circumstances - During National Selection Event(s): Where injury, illness, mechanical factors, misadventure or other relevant factors have prevented completion of National Selection Events an athlete may apply for a Dispensation on their Dispensation Nomination Form. All evidence to support such a Dispensation nomination must be included and forwarded to the Tri NZ Selection Panel, via the Triathlon New Zealand administration office, within 4 hours of the selection race. The form is available from the Tri NZ office or from the Tri NZ web site. Dispensation for events that have occurred prior to a selection race must be submitted prior to that selection race.
7.4. Tri NZ reserves the right to request swim and/or run time trials and/or bike fitness test to confirm any athlete's fitness prior to the World Championships at the discretion of the National Coach and/or the Elite Selection Commission.
7.5. Withdrawal - If a selected TEAM member should withdraw and or is declared unfit to continue as a TEAM member the Tri NZ Selection Committee may replace this member with the first reserve athlete (if appropriate).
7.6. Injury or illness - If a selected TEAM member is determined to be injured or ill subsequent to selection, their continued status as a TEAM member will be re-assessed by the Tri NZ Selection Committee in consultation with the Tri NZ medical personnel or nominated representative.
ENTRIES Each athlete must enter through both the ITU system and the event website and this must be completed prior to 32 days out. Athletes in the High Performance program email marlene.lucas@triathlon.org.nz for their ITU entry; athletes NOT in the High Performance program email claire.attwood@triathlon.org.nz for their ITU entry.
8. Tri NZ FUNDING
8.1 No funding is currently available for members of the aquathon team.
9. ATHLETE AGREEMENT9.1 All members of the TEAM will be required to sign an Athlete Agreement and DFSNZ Drug testing form distributed by Tri NZ within 14 days of the announcement of the TEAM.
9.2 Any selected member of the TEAM not willing to sign the agreement, which meets the minimum requirements laid down by Tri NZ, will be removed from the team.
10. APPEAL AGAINST NON SELECTION
10.1 Any elite member who has satisfied the above Eligibility Criteria and who has lodged a Nomination Form as per the requirements of this Policy and considered for selection by the Tri NZ Selection Panel may appeal against their non-selection.
10.2 Any appeal against non-selection must be in email and clearly outline the basis for the appeal. Appeal against non-selection must be accompanied by a deposit into Tri NZ account for $50.00 the appeal must be emailed to marlene.lucas@triathlon.org.nz at the Tri NZ Office within four (4) days of the announcement of the provisional TEAM, phone Rachel for the bank account number 09 524 6959
CONTACT the Triathlon New Zealand Office on 09 524 6959 or visit us on http://www.triathlon.org.nz/
