Interesting view on state of our relays

ecoli

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/athletics-baton-dropped-for-want-of-vision-3126563.html

Was interested in the part which made sense regarding experience while getting around the "A Standard" only policy

Which brings us back to relays. Their importance should never be underestimated. There are obvious benefits, aside from the bonus of qualifying additional athletes for an Olympics. For instance, having a relay team competing at European, World or Olympic level offers a great opportunity to develop athletes. For countries like Ireland, a relay team at a major event would almost certainly feature several young athletes who had not managed to get the qualifying time for their individual discipline but who could still have the opportunity to experience the championship atmosphere. It keeps the athlete in the sport; keeps them focused on competing, even after the disappointment of failing to qualify in their own right. Being part of a team at a major games gives an athlete a taste of the big time and exposes him or her to a big event.

runjb

Some of the article makes sense, Ireland are facing into a European Champs with only one relay team out of four. While the year is focused on the Olympics, this is a poor reflection on the AAI's drive to qualify athletes/relays. As the article mentions, the other 3 teams would each in their own right have a chance of qualifying but no focus has been put in from AAI.