Scotland’s athletes are now under starters orders for Glasgow 2014, with the official Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) selection period to qualify for Team Scotland opening at the start of April 2013.

Already there are indications of excellent early season form, with 11 athletes in three sports having performed to agreed selection standard on one occasion. This includes marathon runners Derek Hawkins, Susan Partridge and Hayley Haining who all finished inside the standard at last Sunday’s London Marathon, completing the first step towards selection. In addition, lawn bowls have already secured their full quota of 10 athlete places following outstanding results at last December’s World Championships.

Speaking at a press conference in Glasgow today (25 April), CGS Chief Executive and Team Scotland Chef de Mission, Jon Doig, explained how the selection policy will operate.

“Competing for Scotland at a Commonwealth Games is a highlight of any athlete’s career and the added opportunity to compete at a home games is a privilege experienced by very few athletes.”

Over the last three Games cycles, Team Scotland has had increasing success, largely as a result of a robust, clear, consistent selection policy and a strong team ethos, backed with excellent high performance support from sportscotland. I can confirm that this approach will continue so that each athlete selected will be assured of the support of their team mates in the knowledge that all have deserved the honour of representing Scotland at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“The two aims of the policy are to ensure that Scotland selects a team that performs with distinction in 2014, and has its most successful Games ever in terms of medals won.”
Amongst the key elements of the policy are:

All individual sports on the 2014 programme will be represented by a minimum of three athletes, with the performance target of top eight or top two thirds of the field at recent Commonwealth Games, whichever is the tighter, being used as the benchmark.

All host team sport places will be accepted to ensure Team Scotland representation in each sport in the Games, with the performance target of top eight in the Commonwealth.

Consideration will be given to allow athletes to participate in additional events to those they qualify in, giving an opportunity to be inspired by a “Home Games” environment.

Sport specific selection standards have now been published in conjunction with each sport’s governing body and provide clear targets for athletes to achieve.
Good luck to all of Scotland’s athletes!

Photo Credit: CGS