BSS Sochi OQS Review

In May 2014 BSS commissioned Dr Sarah Rowell from Wharton Consulting to carry out an independent review of the formulation and implementation of the BSS Olympic Qualification Standards (OQS).

A summary of Dr Rowell’s report is available to download at /media/161716/bss%20sochi%20oqs%20review.pdf.

Sochi 2014 was a defining Winter Olympics for British snowsports, and BSS were in general happy with the selection and performance of our athletes. There was, however, some questioning of the selection criteria, which BSS took very seriously and why we commissioned this independent report.

BSS have taken on board the feedback from the report, and as a result the BSS Board will:

-  Launch a consultation exercise with the intent to establish the BSS Olympic selection philosophy.  This will provide our members with an opportunity to provide their views on the level of attainment necessary to be selected as a British Olympian in addition to communicating the basic requirements of the British Olympic Association and the National Olympic Committee.

-  Ask each Discipline Committee to take ownership of the full, open and effective communication with athletes with a request to athletes to voice any concerns to the Discipline Committee.

We will endeavour to ensure that the agreed OQS for the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games are published in July 2016.  We will, of course, require BOA agreement to this timescale.  However the BSS philosophy, that should drive the standard to be achieved, will be agreed by the Board well in advance of that date.

If you have any comments or feedback after you have read this report please email bss@teambss.org.uk.