ASA legend Sepeng backs new World Athletics qualifying standards

The new model will allow 40% of athletes to qualify through entry standards, while the remaining 60% will qualify through world rankings.

Sepeng, who serves as Athletics South Africa’s High-Performance Manager, believes the new system provides clarity for athletes. 

He told SABC Sport that athletes who meet the entry standards already know where they stand, while those aiming to qualify through the rankings also understand what is required of them. 

He says the changes have been introduced to create more opportunities for athletes and make qualification more inclusive.

The 1996 Olympic Games 800m silver medallist admits that the new standards are demanding. 

He pointed out that the men’s 100m qualifying mark has been lowered from 10.00 seconds to 9.95 seconds, while the marathon standard is now 2:06:00. 

His former specialist event, the men’s 800m, now requires a time of 1:43.00.

Sepeng says these tougher standards will challenge athletes to improve and compete at a higher level if they want to qualify directly for major championships.

"Yes the standard are tough, but when you compare it to the times of my day, if you were running a 1:44:00 you were classified as a good athlete, but nowadays if you run that time you are considered average. The performances of the athletes and their times are just getting faster, which is why the entry standards are also increasing."

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The 51-year-old athletics administrator, who has a World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger meeting named after him in South Africa, believes the sport is moving towards a future where more athletes will secure qualification through world rankings.

He says athletes will need to compete regularly at high-level competitions to earn ranking points and improve their chances of qualifying for global events.

Sepeng says athletes must adapt to the changing demands of the sport and raise their performance levels to remain competitive on the world stage.

"It's going to be tough but we need to up our collective game. The world is moving and athletes are getting faster and faster, and we will have to be able to move and adapt with what is happening in the world."