2024 World Cross Country Championships Selection Criteria

2024 World Cross Country Selection Criteria 18.02.2024Download

BACKGROUND

The 2024 edition of the WCCC will be held in Belgrade, Serbia on the 30th of March 2024. World Athletics quota of One Male and one Female Participant, and addition 2 athletes for mixed relay is available for Fiji. We have an opportunity to use the Championships as a platform for strengthening our middle-and-long distance program.

EVENT INFORMATION

  1. RACE DATE: 30th March 2024.
  2. LOCATION: Belgrade, Serbia.
  3. RACES:
    • Under 20 Men – 8km
    • Under 20 Women – 6kmSenior Men – 10kmSenior Women – 10km
    • Mixed Relay – 4 x 2km each (2 men and 2 women 18 years old and over).
  4. AGE REQUIREMENTS: Youngest athlete to be considered born 2008 and earlier.
  5. TEAM SCORING: Four finishers will score in any one race.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Age Categories

  • U20 athletes: any athlete aged 18 or 19 years on 31 December 2024 (born in 2006 or 2005) may compete in any race.
  • U18 athletes: any athlete aged 16 or 17 years on 31 December 2024 (born in 2008 or 2007) may compete in the U20 race ONLY.
  • No athletes younger than 16 years on 31 December 2024 (born in 2009 or later) may be entered.

Entry Rules

  • In all races (except the Mixed Relay) a Member may enter a maximum of eight athletes; no more than six will be allowed to start in the race with four to score.
  • In the Mixed Relay, a Member may enter a maximum of four men and four women; of whom two men and two women shall compete.  
  • Individual entries are admitted in any race (except in the Mixed Relay) and the finishing athletes will be eligible for the corresponding individual awards. 

FIJI’S GOAL FOR THE 2024 WCCC

  1. Entries
    • To secure quota spots for one male and one female participant in individual races who can back-up in the 2k mixed relay, if necessary.
    • To form a mixed relay team by utilizing the allocated quota spots for one male and one female athlete for the Mixed Relay.
      • The second slot in this relay team will be taken up by an additional athlete; OR
      • To utilize the athlete from the individual race as per a) above, provided the athlete is born in 2006 or earlier, as required by World Athletics regulations (that is over 18 years of age)
    • To extend invitations to additional athletes who meet the minimum standard to compete in individual events.
      • Athletes who reach the “A-standard’ will be partially funded by central fundraising by the WCCC Management Team
      • Athletes who meet the “B-Standard” will be encouraged to join the team, on the basis that they self- fund their participation.
      • If Fiji was able to enter a minimum of four athletes in any of the individual races, Fiji will qualify for the Teams Competition in that event.
  2. Performance objectives for Team Fiji
    • Mixed Team to finish ahead of Papua New Guinea
    • Individual Men’s Team to finish ahead of PNG.
    • Individual Men and Women’s performances – To finish better than 2023 WCCC.

ATHLETES ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE GAMES CHARTER

  1. To be eligible for Team Fiji selection an athlete must hold a current Fiji passport.
  2. All interested athletes should declare their interests by 24th of February, through a text or email message to Mr Robin Dayal.
  3. Athletes will be selected based on them satisfying the performance standards by the deadline of 9th March 2024.
  4. All performances can also be achieved during competitions organized specially for the World Cross Country Championship or performances at competitions that is approved for the selection process.
  5. All overseas-based athletes intending to be part of the Athletics Team must submit official results of their performances in various competitions.
  6. Athletes selected must be of good standing with Athletics Fiji.
  7. Priority will be given to the Athletes who have the best performances in the qualifying period.
  8. Final selection will be made on merit taking into consideration athlete development and meeting the objectives of Athletics Fiji.
  9. All Athletes selected must meet Athletics Fiji’s Protocols as per APPENDIX A

QUALIFYING TIMES

The indicative Minimum Standards that should be achieved for the athletes to be considered are as follows:

The above standards across varying events allows athletes to cross-qualify utilizing similar distances.

SELECTION TIMELINES

  • 17th February – Athletics Fiji Competition.
  • 24th February – Expression of Interests closes.
  • 24th February – Selection Trials.
  • 9th March – Final Trials.

APPENDIX A

  1. MEDICAL ASSESSMENT

Athletes selected must meet Athletics Fiji and World Cross Country Committee’s requirements:

  1. Medical Protocols and Assessments as required.
    1. All Athletes must meet the COVID-19 Vaccination Criteria as per WCCC Vaccination Policy.
  • ATHLETES AGREEMENT

All athletes and officials will be required to sign the Team Members Agreement once selected in the Final Team.

  • CHARACTER AND DISCIPLINE

Athletes must demonstrate the necessary discipline and commitment required at elite level to enable them to excel and achieve their personal best at international competitions. Issues of importance:

  1. Professional conduct in all contexts
  2. Team commitment and national pride
  3. Competitive but humble attitude
  4. Positive attitude towards their sports and Team
  5. Fiji Controllable temperament
  • COMPETITION

Athletics Fiji will follow the 2023-2024 competition calendar, which has been published on the Athletics Fiji Website (https://athleticsfiji.com/competition-calendar/) and their results in relation to the Qualifying Standards provided in this Criteria to gauge the athletes’ fitness and performances.

  • COMPULSORY TRAINING

Athletes must meet a requirement attendance of 75-80%. Team management will keep a daily attendance record. Team records of attendance to be included in the final team submission.

  • STANDARDS

The sport of Cross Country is judged by ability to jump/run over obstacles and run on tough natural terrain mostly on dirt, grass, mud, sand etc.  Athletics Fiji will follow the qualifying standards provided in this Criteria of Selection for qualification.

Athletes that have qualified under A Standard will be given the priority. However, as part of our development plan, Athletes that have qualified under B standard and wish to travel as part of the Team are to meet their own expenses.

  • SELECTION COMMITTEE

The following persons are the members of the Selection Panel.

  1. Mr. Joji Liga
  2. Mr. Albert Miller
  3. Mr Alifereti Cawanibuka

The Athletics Fiji Distance Athletes Coaching Panel will be able to make its recommendation to the Selection Panel for consideration.

  • APPEAL PROCESS

Athletes and team officials have an opportunity to appeal their cases if they feel they have been unfairly deprived of the opportunity to represent their country. The appellant shall appeal in writing, clearly stating his/her reasons for the appeal. The appeal shall be lodged with the Secretary General of Athletics Fiji within 48 hours of the announcement of the Team.