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re: UA Volleyball, Soccer, Track, Tennis, Swim/Diving, Rowing (2023-24)

Posted on 4/24/24 at 12:52 pm to
Posted by JIB
Member since Sep 2013
1402 posts
Posted on 4/24/24 at 12:52 pm to
The only way you can auto qualify at this point is if your country stinks at track and they'll send anyone who hits the Olympic standard. I'm not sure if that's how Uganda does it or not. They don't have much history of sprinting but it would be unusual to say somebody is already on the Olympic team in April. I can't find anything online that explains their selection process.
Posted by KingOfTheWorld
South of heaven, west of hell
Member since Oct 2018
5974 posts
Posted on 4/24/24 at 2:09 pm to
I’m sure you’re correct. It is early for putting your Olympic squad together. I’m just quoting the article and don’t know the specifics. It could be that Uganda’s team selection is as you said. They, Kenya and East Africa in general aren’t known for their sprinters.

There have been many studies on the West African “speed gene” compared to whites and East Africans like Kenyans. I read years ago about a study of muscle samples from Kenyan distance runners and sprinters of West African descent (especially Caribbean nations) and there was a definite difference in fast-twitch ad slow-twitch fibers. It’s an interesting phenomenon.
Posted by MoarKilometers
Member since Apr 2015
18788 posts
Posted on 4/25/24 at 5:09 am to
quote:

The only way you can auto qualify at this point is if your country stinks at track and they'll send anyone who hits the Olympic standard.

If your country truly sucks, you can still go without meeting any qualifying standard. You can get 1 in that way. Think of that embarrassing eric the eel performance for equatorial guinea. Not quite as bad in track, because even poor counties can afford dirt to run on, but the concept still stands. If your country is arse, the top rated athlete gets a free pass. I could name probably 5 or 6 people i swam club with who got in this way. Zambia, Seychelles, Barbados, Suriname type countries, with woefully underdeveloped youth sports or just tiny population pool.
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