British Ski and Snowboard statement regarding Olympic Qualifying Standards

British Ski and Snowboard statement regarding Olympic Qualifying Standards:

Whilst it is always extremely disappointing to see an athlete miss out on selection for an Olympic Games, the selection bar has to be set high, to ensure that every competitor meets the standards expected by the BOA and there is consistency to ensure the process is entirely fair and objective.

Every skier and snowboarder selected for Sochi 2014 was selected on the basis of the agreed Olympic Qualification Standards (OQS), and the decisions of the selection panels were scrutinised by the BSS Board and the BOA. The OQS are developed first by experts from each National Governing Body and then agreed with the BOA to ensure that all athletes are capable of delivering a credible performance at the Olympic Games.  The approved OQS did not allow for the acceptance of handback places from the International Federation.  Also, the OQS are shared with athletes well in advance of selection.

Konrad Bartelski, Chair of Alpine Selection Panel:

"We are committed to our strategy of winning more Olympic and World snowsports medals, and our performances in Sochi have shown that we are starting to achieve success born out of our snowsports programmes.

As we speak, our delegation in Sochi, led by Performance Director, Paddy Mortimer, has already become the most successful ever British snowsports team. On the return of our delegation from Sochi, British Ski and Snowboard, as is standard practice, will review all aspects of our preparation and performance which includes a review of the OQS."

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