A potential two places are up for grabs in each of the paratriathlon categories: PT1, PT2, PT4 (men) and P2, P4 and P5 (women).
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Athletes who have already won a medal at the 2014 and 2015 ITU Paratriathlon World Championships, and win a gold at WPE Buffalo City, WPE Yokohama or WPE Aguilas this year, will meet the automatic selection criteria.
As with the Olympic selection policy, which many considered to be particularly tough compared to other nations, the Paralympic policy “is about ensuring we send a very strong team that is capable of delivering medal winning performances,” said a spokesman for British Triathlon.
“Brendan Purcell is the National Performance Director for both the elite and paratriathlon squads, so his input means there are some similarities between the two policies. Like the Olympic nomination policy, athletes who have a proven track record of winning medals at the highest level are able to secure automatic selection earlier than the rest of the team.”
So far out of the ParalympicsGB hopefuls, just Lauren Steadman (gold medallist at the 2014 and 2015 World Champs in PT4) and Alison Patrick (gold medallist in 2014, silver medallist in 2015 in PT5) have met the first part of the automatic selection criteria.
Those who haven’t met the criteria for automatic selection, will be considered on their performances at the major championships during 2015/16 and the ITU World Paratriathlon Event Series up until June 2016.
The final team will be announced by ParalympicsGB in July after selectors have also taken into consideration an athlete’s form, race times and whether their performance profile suits the Rio 2016 Paralympic course.
Paralympic hopeful Phil Hogg says: “This would be the highlight of my sporting career to date. To compete for your country at the highest level is a honour and privilege that doesn’t come easy.
“The commitment and dedication over the last four years to throw everything I have towards my dream as at times been very difficult but equally rewarding too.
“It goes without saying that the support I’ve received not only from all the coaching staff and other practitioner at British Triathlon but from my family, friends and the close community at home where I live. Not to mention my team mates too. I see all these people as ‘Team Hogg’ “
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To get an idea of the training required to make the Rio startline, pick up the May issue of 220, on sale 29 March, as we gain exclusive access to the GB paratri squad on camp in Lanzarote, or subscribe to the magazine here
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