The Swedish Olympic Committee's (SOC) demand for the potential for a top eight finish to be selected for the Olympics has attracted strong criticism from several different quarters over the years.
Now it will be easier. At today's annual meeting, the board's motion was voted through, which means that it is enough that the athlete has shown quality for a top twelve finish, instead of the top eight. In addition, it will be easier to take place via the so-called future criterion, a criterion on which it will be possible to be selected more than once in the future.
The Swedish Athletics Federation sought rejection
However, the decision was not unanimous. The Swedish Athletics Federation, the Taekwondo Federation and the Swimming Federation did not support the board's motion as a whole.
The Swedish Athletics Federation emphasized that they wanted the international sports' own selection criteria to mainly apply to selection for the Olympics.
– SOK quotes on its website the IOC's motto: "In the Olympics it is not most important to win without participating, the most important thing in life is not to win but to fight well", said Swedish Athletics Federation board member Freja Avebäck when she requested rejection of the board's motion.
Lovisa Lindh on changing requirements: "Doesn't change anything"
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Hear Lovisa Lindh about SOC's changed Olympic requirements. Photo: TT