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**Dan man** · 15-01-2012, 03:40

By the way, we better mention Natalya Coyle in the Modern Pentathlon, looks on course for qualification. Really nice girl from what I make of her interviews and works really hard. She is one to look out for come 2016.

**Dan man** · 15-01-2012, 14:56

I will try to explain the Eventing qualifying system to the best of my knowledge. It is possibly the most complicated method of qualification for London 2012. Here goes:

There are 75 quota spots available for the individual competition. If a country qualifies a minimum of 3 combinations for the individual event, then they can enter the team event also. (Note, the individual competition doubles up as the team competition so the riders' scores in the individual competition are the scores also used for team scores).
A country can enter a maximum of 5 combinations for the team competition providing they have 5 riders in qualifying positions and the best 3 riders' scores will be counted in the team scores.

As things stand, 11 countries have automatically qualified a full quota of 5 combinations. These are Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and U.S.A.

Therefore, these countries occupy 55 of the 75 quota spots available for the Eventing competition. Technically, all of these countries might not enter the full compliment of 5 riders and in those circumstances, the quota spot will go back for distribution amongst those countries who have not yet qualified a team.
However, for clarity purposes we will say that there are 20 quota places available for the other nations. It must also be noted that the door is still open for other countries to qualify for the team event so long as they have at least 3 riders qualified through the following ranking process with 5 being the maximum number of riders a team can enter.

There is essentially 8 different rankings determining qualification with each yielding qualifying slots for London.
There are 7 regional rankings and the best rider in each of these regions will book their ticket to the Games. As things stand, here is how those rankings are shaping up (Ireland are in the North-Western group):

North Western Group (Raf Kooremans/Netherlands)
South Western Group (Stefano Brecciaroli/Italy)
Central & Eastern Europe/Central Asia (Alena Tseliapushkina/Belarus)
North America Group (No rider ranked currently)
Central and South America (Federico Gonzalo/Uruguay)
Africa & Middle East (Mandy Mason/South Africa)
South East Asia/Oceania (Clayton Fredericks/Australia)

These rankings are not finalised so things can change, but as things stand Ireland will have to go to the World Olympic ranking system to look for qualification. Although Michael Ryan is currently in 2nd place in the North Western Group and potentially could overtake the Dutch rider, let's assume for the purposes of this report that those positions were the final ranking positions. Also as there is no rider ranked in the North-American Group, this would suggest that this quota slot will be re-distributed in the world Olympic rankings.

So, with the above 6 combinations occupying qualifying positions via the regional rankings, it means that there are now currently 14 quota spots availbale for the highest ranked riders in the World Olympic rankings.
Any riders who are in qualifying positions in the above regional rankings are discounted in the World ranking system so the top 14 combinations not yet qualified through any of the above criteria will be elligible for London 2012. Remember, each nation is only allowed to enter a max of 5 combinations so any additional riders from the same country can also be discounted.
So, here is the current World Olympic ranking standings, I have placed a Q beside the combinations who are currently occupying those remaining qualifying slots.
* indicates that the combination is currently qualified from the regional rankings
** indicates that the country is already occupying the full quota of riders

Clayton Fredericks/Australia *
Stuart Tinney/Australia Q1
Emma Scott/Australia Q2
Shane Rose/Australia Q3
Natalie Blundell/Australia Q4
Emma Mason/Australia **
Christine Bates/Australia **
Megan Jones/Australia **
Christopher Burton **
Raf Kooremans/Netherlands *
Alena Tseliapushkina/Belarus *
Mykhailo Nastenko/Russia Q5
Pawel Spisak/Poland Q6
Sam Griffiths/Australia **
Craig Barrett/Australia **
Nina Ligon/Thailand Q7
Michael Ryan/IRELAND Q8
Aliaksandr Faminou/Belarus Q9
Tim Boland/Australia **
Mark Kyle/IRELAND Q10
Camilla Speirs/IRELAND Q11
Jayne Doherty/IRELAND Q12
Stefano Brecciaroli/Italy *
Lucinda Fredericks/Australia **
Peter T.Flarup/Denmark Q13
Bill Levett/Australia **
Elaine Pen/Netherlands Q14

So, that's how qualification is going currently (as of 11th january). With 4 combinations currently in qualifying positions things are looking positive for our chances of entering a team and with Ciaran Glynn and Geoff Curran not too far behind the qualifying positions, we may yet qualify the full compliment of 5 combinations. However, by the same token, Mark Kyle, Camilla Speirs and Jayne Doherty, whilst currently occupying qualifying positions are precariously situated in the rankings. These rankings will be finalised on March 1st and with the addition of extra qualfying competitions in the early part of the season, there is a lot of work still to be done for Ireland to secure a decent quota of riders.

One thing I am not sure of is whether riders qualify a quota place for the country or themselves as it is not stated clearly on the qualification criteria. It would be better if Ireland could choose which combinations to enter as some of our stronger riders are not currently in qualifying positions.

**Dan man** · 15-01-2012, 15:41

Ireland has its latest addition to the London 2012 Olympic team with the superb news that Ava Hutchinson has run the A-standard for the women's marathon. The 28-year-old DSD club runner posted a time of 2:35:33hrs in the Houston Marathon to join Linda Byrne on the start-line for the Olympic marathon. The Marathon Mission programme seems to be working a treat. Our athletics squad for London now stands at 13.

Dodge · 15-01-2012, 15:46

She was 11th in the Dublin marathin in 2:42:48, so she's shown a trememndous improvement (in her frst year as a marathon runner)
She finished 4th in Houston btw

FitzjamesHorse · 15-01-2012, 21:38

Thanks Dan Man.
I usually blog on other topics but a few nights ago decided to set up a "Sports" blog with emphasis on the Olympic sports...
So I routinely follow 50 sports.
Some Irish sports (including minority sports)are easy to follow and have excellent websites. Others seem to put up barriers as if their sport was nobodys business but their own.
I had hoped to post info on my sports site, cleaned from news reports on websites etc but you guys seem to be doing it better than I ever could.
But I will certainly be posting often.

knockcon · 15-01-2012, 22:06

It looks like Lisa Kearney struggled at the IJF elite event this weekend. Beaten in the first round i think. Hopefully she can learn from this as she still is quite young. Would be great to see her qualify.

**Dan man** · 15-01-2012, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by knockcon

It looks like Lisa Kearney struggled at the IJF elite event this weekend. Beaten in the first round i think. Hopefully she can learn from this as she still is quite young. Would be great to see her qualify.

I'm not too worried by her performance at this tournament. This was the IJF World Masters, as you say it is an elite event in which only the world's top 16 ranked judoka in each category are invited.
She has made history by being the first Irish judoka to be invited to the prestigious event, not bad going at all.
She is young so hopefully she can continue to perfect her skills. She should certainly qualify for the London Olympics which would be a great boost for Irish judo.
Judo is a sport that, with proper funding, Ireland could do well at considering European countries like Belgium, Portugal, Netherlands, Romania and others perform quite well and don't forget Britain do reasonably well also.

Dodge · 16-01-2012, 00:10

Irvine well on the way

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10...oNation.com%29

Bella mamma · 16-01-2012, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beasty

Irvine is now up into 7th place in the European Olympic qualification rankings. With 2 events to go I reckon he is 45 points ahead of Denmark, who currently occupy the final qualification position, and crucially 125 points ahead of Poland in 9th place.

The chances of Poland catchng Ireland in the rankings look pretty low - they would have to do better than they have done in any of the qualifying events so far this season, and hope for some reason Martyn Irvine fails to get through the last 2 events (he'll get 40 points just for completing them)

The final 2 qualification events are in London next month, and the World Championships in Melbourne in April

Beasty and Dan Man - RTE and Irish Cycling are reporting him as 8th overall (well done Martyn). Cycling Ireland and The UCI website aren't updated. BTW, the calculation of cycling points isn't my 'chosen subject'!

http://www.rte.ie/sport/cycling/2012/0115/irvinem.html

http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_6023.shtml

**Dan man** · 16-01-2012, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bella mamma

Beasty and Dan Man - RTE and Irish Cycling are reporting him as 8th overall (well done Martyn). Cycling Ireland and The UCI website aren't updated. BTW, the calculation of cycling points isn't my 'chosen subject'!

http://www.rte.ie/sport/cycling/2012/0115/irvinem.html

http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_6023.shtml

I can't be 100% sure until the rankings are updated but I am going by info provided by the U.C.I.

Here is the rankings pre-Beijing World Cup: (click into the Omnium link)
http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-...U2Mjk&LangId=1

And, here is the U.C.I. report on points awarded from the Beijing World Cup: (click into Beijing World Cup #2 link)
http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-...UxNjE&LangId=1

Either way the important thing is the buffer Irvine has built up between himself and the Polish lad.

Bella mamma · 16-01-2012, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan man

I can't be 100% sure until the rankings are updated but I am going by info provided by the U.C.I.

Here is the rankings pre-Beijing World Cup: (click into the Omnium link)
http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-...U2Mjk&LangId=1

And, here is the U.C.I. report on points awarded from the Beijing World Cup: (click into Beijing World Cup #2 link)
http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-...UxNjE&LangId=1

Either way the important thing is the buffer Irvine has built up between himself and the Polish lad.

Agreed.

And thanks.

What's the story with Caroline Ryan do you know?

Has anyone heard talk of any of the women's cycling team pursuit trio, who didn't qualify, attempting to switch back to rowing 11th hour for London? I don't see their names on selection sheets.

http://www.rowingireland.com/team-selection/

http://www.rowingireland.com/news/ (February assessments)

**Dan man** · 16-01-2012, 18:26

I'm not too sure about that at all, I haven't heard that they were switching (back) to rowing? Did you hear this was the case?

FitzjamesHorse · 16-01-2012, 20:25

The only thing that I gleaned from Cycling websites was that there was hope that Ireland would have a woman in the Road Race, as well as a BMX rider and a XTC rider.
If there is Road Racer I would have expected it to be Olivia Dillon. And I think Mel Spath would be the most likely XTC rider notwithstanding Robin Seymours 20th national title.
But the qualification procedure.....ranking based looks totally impossible so I see no basis for that optimism.
The BMX start lines in London will have 30 Men and 14 Women...........and based on Rankings by Nation (at end of May) as well as individual places in World Championships. I just cant see any Irish rider making it.

Bella mamma · 16-01-2012, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan man

I'm not too sure about that at all, I haven't heard that they were switching (back) to rowing? Did you hear this was the case?

Just today from a random conversation, with a randomer, who had randomely read it in the media.

I'm an armchair supporter.

**Dan man** · 16-01-2012, 20:42

No, it seemed bizarrely optimistic to me too when I read the article. Ryan Sherlock (Irish mountain-biker) was discussing the situation with me earlier in the year and we were saying how this would likely be the first Olympics since the inception of the mountain biking that Ireland will not have a representative. In the past we had Robin Seymour, Jenny McCauley, Tarja Owens, Martin Earley and Alistair Martin. There has been no HP process in place since Beijing unfortunately and this has inevitably had a damaging knock-on effect on our chances.
Olivia Dillon is would certainly seem to be our strongest competitor in the women's road race but she competed in a lot of NRC races in the U.S. for which there sadly is no U.C.I. ranking points available.
Wildcards might be our only chance. I will have a look at the BMX rankings and report back.

15-01-2012, 14:56	#257
Dan man Moderator Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 2,225 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Cricket, Sports, Sports Trivia	I will try to explain the Eventing qualifying system to the best of my knowledge. It is possibly the most complicated method of qualification for London 2012. Here goes: There are 75 quota spots available for the individual competition. If a country qualifies a minimum of 3 combinations for the individual event, then they can enter the team event also. (Note, the individual competition doubles up as the team competition so the riders' scores in the individual competition are the scores also used for team scores). A country can enter a maximum of 5 combinations for the team competition providing they have 5 riders in qualifying positions and the best 3 riders' scores will be counted in the team scores. As things stand, 11 countries have automatically qualified a full quota of 5 combinations. These are Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and U.S.A. Therefore, these countries occupy 55 of the 75 quota spots available for the Eventing competition. Technically, all of these countries might not enter the full compliment of 5 riders and in those circumstances, the quota spot will go back for distribution amongst those countries who have not yet qualified a team. However, for clarity purposes we will say that there are 20 quota places available for the other nations. It must also be noted that the door is still open for other countries to qualify for the team event so long as they have at least 3 riders qualified through the following ranking process with 5 being the maximum number of riders a team can enter. There is essentially 8 different rankings determining qualification with each yielding qualifying slots for London. There are 7 regional rankings and the best rider in each of these regions will book their ticket to the Games. As things stand, here is how those rankings are shaping up (Ireland are in the North-Western group): North Western Group (Raf Kooremans/Netherlands) South Western Group (Stefano Brecciaroli/Italy) Central & Eastern Europe/Central Asia (Alena Tseliapushkina/Belarus) North America Group (No rider ranked currently) Central and South America (Federico Gonzalo/Uruguay) Africa & Middle East (Mandy Mason/South Africa) South East Asia/Oceania (Clayton Fredericks/Australia) These rankings are not finalised so things can change, but as things stand Ireland will have to go to the World Olympic ranking system to look for qualification. Although Michael Ryan is currently in 2nd place in the North Western Group and potentially could overtake the Dutch rider, let's assume for the purposes of this report that those positions were the final ranking positions. Also as there is no rider ranked in the North-American Group, this would suggest that this quota slot will be re-distributed in the world Olympic rankings. So, with the above 6 combinations occupying qualifying positions via the regional rankings, it means that there are now currently 14 quota spots availbale for the highest ranked riders in the World Olympic rankings. Any riders who are in qualifying positions in the above regional rankings are discounted in the World ranking system so the top 14 combinations not yet qualified through any of the above criteria will be elligible for London 2012. Remember, each nation is only allowed to enter a max of 5 combinations so any additional riders from the same country can also be discounted. So, here is the current World Olympic ranking standings, I have placed a Q beside the combinations who are currently occupying those remaining qualifying slots. * indicates that the combination is currently qualified from the regional rankings ** indicates that the country is already occupying the full quota of riders Clayton Fredericks/Australia * Stuart Tinney/Australia Q1 Emma Scott/Australia Q2 Shane Rose/Australia Q3 Natalie Blundell/Australia Q4 Emma Mason/Australia Christine Bates/Australia Megan Jones/Australia Christopher Burton Raf Kooremans/Netherlands * Alena Tseliapushkina/Belarus * Mykhailo Nastenko/Russia Q5 Pawel Spisak/Poland Q6 Sam Griffiths/Australia Craig Barrett/Australia Nina Ligon/Thailand Q7 Michael Ryan/IRELAND Q8 Aliaksandr Faminou/Belarus Q9 Tim Boland/Australia Mark Kyle/IRELAND Q10 Camilla Speirs/IRELAND Q11 Jayne Doherty/IRELAND Q12** Stefano Brecciaroli/Italy * Lucinda Fredericks/Australia Peter T.Flarup/Denmark Q13 Bill Levett/Australia Elaine Pen/Netherlands Q14 So, that's how qualification is going currently (as of 11th january). With 4 combinations currently in qualifying positions things are looking positive for our chances of entering a team and with Ciaran Glynn and Geoff Curran not too far behind the qualifying positions, we may yet qualify the full compliment of 5 combinations. However, by the same token, Mark Kyle, Camilla Speirs and Jayne Doherty, whilst currently occupying qualifying positions are precariously situated in the rankings. These rankings will be finalised on March 1st and with the addition of extra qualfying competitions in the early part of the season, there is a lot of work still to be done for Ireland to secure a decent quota of riders. One thing I am not sure of is whether riders qualify a quota place for the country or themselves as it is not stated clearly on the qualification criteria. It would be better if Ireland could choose which combinations to enter as some of our stronger riders are not currently in qualifying positions. Last edited by Dan man; 15-01-2012 at 15:03.

15-01-2012, 22:06	#261
knockcon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 62 Adverts \| Friends	Judo update It looks like Lisa Kearney struggled at the IJF elite event this weekend. Beaten in the first round i think. Hopefully she can learn from this as she still is quite young. Would be great to see her qualify.

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15-01-2012, 03:40	#256
Dan man Moderator Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 2,225 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Cricket, Sports, Sports Trivia	By the way, we better mention Natalya Coyle in the Modern Pentathlon, looks on course for qualification. Really nice girl from what I make of her interviews and works really hard. She is one to look out for come 2016.

15-01-2012, 15:41	#258
Dan man Moderator Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 2,225 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Cricket, Sports, Sports Trivia	Ireland has its latest addition to the London 2012 Olympic team with the superb news that Ava Hutchinson has run the A-standard for the women's marathon. The 28-year-old DSD club runner posted a time of 2:35:33hrs in the Houston Marathon to join Linda Byrne on the start-line for the Olympic marathon. The Marathon Mission programme seems to be working a treat. Our athletics squad for London now stands at 13.

15-01-2012, 15:46	#259
Dodge Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,532 Adverts \| Friends	She was 11th in the Dublin marathin in 2:42:48, so she's shown a trememndous improvement (in her frst year as a marathon runner) She finished 4th in Houston btw

15-01-2012, 21:38	#260
FitzjamesHorse Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 42 Adverts \| Friends	Thanks Dan Man. I usually blog on other topics but a few nights ago decided to set up a "Sports" blog with emphasis on the Olympic sports... So I routinely follow 50 sports. Some Irish sports (including minority sports)are easy to follow and have excellent websites. Others seem to put up barriers as if their sport was nobodys business but their own. I had hoped to post info on my sports site, cleaned from news reports on websites etc but you guys seem to be doing it better than I ever could. But I will certainly be posting often.

16-01-2012, 00:10	#263
Dodge Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,532 Adverts \| Friends	Irvine well on the way http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10...oNation.com%29

16-01-2012, 18:26	#267
Dan man Moderator Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 2,225 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Cricket, Sports, Sports Trivia	I'm not too sure about that at all, I haven't heard that they were switching (back) to rowing? Did you hear this was the case?

16-01-2012, 20:25	#268
FitzjamesHorse Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 42 Adverts \| Friends	The only thing that I gleaned from Cycling websites was that there was hope that Ireland would have a woman in the Road Race, as well as a BMX rider and a XTC rider. If there is Road Racer I would have expected it to be Olivia Dillon. And I think Mel Spath would be the most likely XTC rider notwithstanding Robin Seymours 20th national title. But the qualification procedure.....ranking based looks totally impossible so I see no basis for that optimism. The BMX start lines in London will have 30 Men and 14 Women...........and based on Rankings by Nation (at end of May) as well as individual places in World Championships. I just cant see any Irish rider making it.

16-01-2012, 20:42	#270
Dan man Moderator Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 2,225 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Cricket, Sports, Sports Trivia	No, it seemed bizarrely optimistic to me too when I read the article. Ryan Sherlock (Irish mountain-biker) was discussing the situation with me earlier in the year and we were saying how this would likely be the first Olympics since the inception of the mountain biking that Ireland will not have a representative. In the past we had Robin Seymour, Jenny McCauley, Tarja Owens, Martin Earley and Alistair Martin. There has been no HP process in place since Beijing unfortunately and this has inevitably had a damaging knock-on effect on our chances. Olivia Dillon is would certainly seem to be our strongest competitor in the women's road race but she competed in a lot of NRC races in the U.S. for which there sadly is no U.C.I. ranking points available. Wildcards might be our only chance. I will have a look at the BMX rankings and report back.