“It’s a shame that it is your federation that disqualifies you from the championship”

dafter it became known shortlist for the next European Championship in RomeSeveral athletes have expressed criticism of the classification system used by the Spanish Athletics Federation when forming teams for various championships. Thus, sprinter Paul Retamal published a letter in which he asks “collect signatures from athletes to work with the athletes’ commission and stop these criteria for Paris.”

In this article, Retamal admits that “having met the RFEA minimum competitiveness, I am not eligible for selection (he has 20.40 July 2023 in the 200m). “He knew that the RFEA was not going to change its position on its criteria. in such an important year, criteria that greatly harm Spanish athletics.

Thus, he assures that “it is unfortunate that it is your own federation that decides to exclude you from the championship, since you have already been classified by the International Federation. I’m very sorry, but Spain doesn’t “agree with everything.” our classification is complex and limits our development possibilities (…).”

It is worth remembering that there are international minimums and rankings for each test, which are determined by ranking scores. Additionally, there is another previous internal step set by the RFEA known as minimum competitiveness (which is somewhat less demanding but must be met by athletes in 2024).

Other athletes also showed solidarity with Retamal. Jesus Spain, now retired, assured that “all my support for our team is at

Europe’s and my anger at some “excellence” criteria and some minimal RFEAs that only harm our athletes, the true heroes. And they deprive us, the fans, of the opportunity to see them compete.”

In turn, Iñaki Cañal, who will go to the European Championships as part of the relay – not a single athlete out of 400 people is participating in the individual championship – said that “for the sake of my mental health, I would be grateful if no one congratulated me on the challenge to the national team.” Europe championship. Thank you”.

Carlos Tobalina wanted to encourage Retamal: “Very encouraging, friend.

At that time I resigned from the Commission because it was emphasized to us that we were here to support the federation and that we were not a trade union.

Rely on me for everything you need, I tried internally, respecting and not wanting to raise my voice, I see that I was wrong…”

Javelin thrower Nico Kihera also said that “these criteria are harmful to the whole of national athletics and we have tried to change them.”

And Alvaro Martin, two-time world champion in walking, expressed his solidarity with the sprinter. “Good luck, friend! Remember the sports maxim: “The only important person is the athlete.” Athletics will give you back everything you deserve.”