The British Olympic Association is discussing holding a multi-sport Olympic trials event prior to future Games.
The BOA believes that following the US model, where selection for the major sports is decided at one event, could help generate more excitement among the public in the build-up to the Games.
Currently, each sport sets its own qualification criteria, with individual competitions acting as Olympic trials.
The BOA said in a joint statement with UK Sport: “There is a shared belief that Olympic trials events, such as those seen in the US, have the potential to be successful in the UK, helping to sustain the profile and public interest in Olympic sport.
“However, discussions about feasibility in Britain are still in their very early stages and are being done in close collaboration with sports’ national governing bodies and UK Sport, where the overriding focus will be to complement athletes’ preparations for the Games.”
The US trials operate on an all-or-nothing basis, with the first three athletes across the line in each event selected for the Games regardless of rankings or performances in other competitions. No UK sport has such a strict criteria, and the BOA insists such a concept has not been discussed and would not be forced on sports.
