Two Pacific Games gold medallists say the Road to the Rio Olympics next year is tougher than London 2012.
Sprint king Ratu Banuve Tabakaucoro and javelin thrower Leslie Copeland say they will both have to go to other IAAF sanctioned meets to try and qualify for Rio.
Tabakaucoro clocked 10.55seconds in winning the 100meters final but the qualifying time is 10.16seonds.
“I’ll have to go to the World Championships in Beijing (China) to try and qualify,” said Tabakaucoro.
“It’s tougher now but achievable.”
Copeland, who’s been battling a niggling shoulder injury since March this year says his throw of over 70meters in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea is not enough to qualify him.
The qualifying distance for Rio is 83 meters.
“That’s the distance of the bronze medal winner in London,” said Copeland.
“There’s no A and B qualifying standards anymore in athletics.”
Copeland’s personal best is 80.45meters and believes he can make it to Rio but needs to get fit again.
“I have to drop some weight and let my shoulder get strong again. I have until one week before the Olympics to qualify,” said Copeland.
Fijian head coach Albert Miller said Copeland took a risk in coming to the Pacific Games.
“He wasn’t fully recovered,” said Miller.
Miller says another athlete Eugene Vollmer who won gold with a hop, step and leap in the Triple Jump with a distance of 15.27meters will only qualify for Rio if he clears 16.85meters.....PACNEWS