German Federation Releases Revised Criteria For Tokyo: Wellbrock Among Eight To Make Cut

florian-wellbrock-1500-final-2019-world-championships
Florian Wellbrock: Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

The German Swimming Federation (DSV) has released revised qualification criteria for selection to the national team for the Olympics which are due to start in Tokyo on 23 July.

While the qualification times remain the same, the DSV and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) have amended the nomination criteria to a team that will comprise a maximum of 17 women and 17 men.

Eight athletes including Florian Wellbrock – who became the first man to win the 1500 free and the 10km open water at a World Championships when he completed the double in Gwangju in July 2019 – have made the cut.

The revisions come as coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the world with Germany in lockdown until the end of the month.

The revised criteria in order of priority is as follows:

  • Swimmers who achieved a top-four ranking at the 2019 FINA World Championships as well as the DSV Olympic time standard
  • Those who achieved the qualification time during the period of 1 January 2020 – 31 March 2020
  • Swimmers who achieve the qualification time during an approved competition on the first three weekends of April 2021
sarah-kohler-1500-free-final-2019-world-championships

Sarah Kohler: Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

The three competitions in April 2021 also represent the only opportunity to qualify an Olympic nomination for the relays while national coach Hannes Vitense did not rule out using the European Championships in Budapest in May as a further means of booking a spot.

On top of Wellbrock, Sarah Kohler (800/1500 free), Franziska Hentke (200 fly) and Philip Heintz (200IM) all earned nominations at the worlds in Gwangju.

Laura Riedemann (100 back), Marco Koch (200br), Marius Kusch (100 fly) and Jacob Heidtmann (400IM) have also booked their tickets by virtue of their performances in spring 2020.

National coach Bernd Berkhahn, who guides Wellbrock and Kohler, said:

“We have set up the criteria for an Olympic nomination in such a way that our most recently strongest performers can focus on the Olympics in their training processes as long as possible in this difficult time.

“As always, the requirements for participating in the Olympics were and will remain very high.

“It is to be welcomed that our athletes now have clarity in this difficult time and can adjust their preparations accordingly. I wish all Olympic hopefuls that they can get through this special season in good health and achieve their goals.”

Fellow national coach Vitense added:

 “Other nations like Italy or the Netherlands are doing well with offering qualification solutions at an early stage.

“Then there are more options in the methodology for shaping the team before the Olympic Games, and if necessary also the possibility of taking into account the European Championships in May. “


Advertising: Shop At Swim360


 

 

 

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x