IAAF Lowers Qualifying Standards for 2012

I’m glad to see the IAAF lowering the qualifying standards for the 400m and 400m Hurdles.

I wrote about World Championship Performance Trends last month, and how you’ll notice starting in 2001, there are only 3 rounds for the 400 meters, and not 4 rounds.  1999 was the last time there was 4 rounds.

It’s obvious the major meets aren’t getting full fields for the 400 meters, as compared to the 100 or 200m.

Up to 80 athletes requires 3 rounds, with a 24 person Semi-Final, and 8 person Final.  Over 81 athletes requires 4 rounds, with a 40 person Quarter-Final, a 16 person Semi-Final, and 8 person Final.

So by lowering the qualifying standards, hopefully we’ll see larger fields in the early rounds.

The 100 meters has the opposite problem.

Starting in 2011, the 100 meters has 3 rounds for those who have the qualifying standard (or ranked top 72), and a new “Preliminary Round” or “Classification Round” (or 4th round, with top athletes getting a bye) to fill the empty lanes for the quarter-finals.

Whatever the changes, remember, this is meant to be a global or world championships with a lot of representation!

New IAAF Qualifying Standards for 2012

MEN

400m

• A standard – 45.30 (previously 45.25)
• B standard – 45.90 (45.70)

WOMEN

400m

• A standard – 51.55 (previously 51.50)
• B standard – 52.35 (52.30)

400m Hurdles

• A standard – 55.50 (55.40)
• B standard – 56.65 (56.55)

5000m

• A standard – 15:20.00 (15:15.00)
• B standard – 15:30.00 (15:25.00)

Shot put

• A standard – 18.30 (18.35)
• B standard – 17.20 (17.30)

Javelin throw

• A standard – 61.00 (61.50)
• B standard – no change