Scotland sets High Standards to Qualify for 2010 CWG Team

Scotland's track-and-field athletes will be expected to prove themselves capable of competing at the highest level if they want to be selected in the team for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

The qualifying standards for athletics, announced yesterday, are based on what it would have taken to be in the top eight in the last Games, held in Melbourne in 2006. The qualifying period for all events barring the marathon begins on 1 May, with athletes being required to meet the standard at least twice. Marathon runners only have to meet their standard once, and their qualifying period begins on 25 April, the day before the Flora London Marathon.

"Whilst specific to athletics, the standards reflect the aim across all sports of athletes finishing in the top eight, based on performances at the last Commonwealth Games," Jon Doig, the chief executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said yesterday.

For some of Scotland's most experienced international athletes, the marks should be achieved as a matter of course between the start of the qualifying period and its end on 30 June 2010. Shirley Webb's Scottish record for the hammer, for instance, is 67.58 metres comfortably ahead of the qualifying mark of 62.00m. On the track, Andrew Lemoncello's personal best for the 3,000m steeplechase of 8min 22.95sec is also well within the required time.

For others, however, qualifying may well be tougher, and it is hoped that the standards will push them on to better themselves this season and next. "These standards are unquestionably tough in many events," said Nigel Hetherington, the performance development manager of Scottish Athletics.

"However, they are also realistic and attainable by a healthy number of Scots and broadly represent what it would have taken to achieve a top-eight finish in Melbourne 2006. For Scotland to achieve the performance outcomes demanded in Glasgow 2014 and to make a serious impact on Team GB in London 2012, a strong showing is essential in Delhi 2010 to show we are absolutely on track."

2010 Commonwealth Games: Scottish qualifying standards

Men: 100 metres: 10.25sec. 200m: 20.65. 400m: 45.55. 800m: 1min 47.80. 1,500m: 3:41.30. 5,000m: 13:30. 10,000m: 28:38. Marathon: 2hr 19.00. 3,000m steeplechase: 8:36. 110m hurdles: 13.70. 400m hurdles: 49.80. High jump: 2m 17cm. Pole vault: 5.20. Long jump: 7.85. Triple jump: 16.30. Shot: 17.60. Discus: 56.00. Hammer: 66.00. Javelin: 75.00. Decathlon: 7,400 points. 20km walk: 1hr 32. 4x100m relay: 39.50sec. 4x400m relay: 3min 04.50.

Women: 100m: 11.45sec. 200m: 23.35. 400m: 52.25. 800m: 2min 01.80. 1,500m: 4:09. 5,000m: 15:35. 10,000m: 32:35. Marathon: 2hr 38. 3,000m steeplechase: 9:55. 100m hurdles: 13.40. 400m hurdles: 56.90. High jump: 1m 83cm. Pole vault: 4.15. Long jump: 6.40. Triple jump: 13.30. Shot: 16.50. Discus: 55.00. Hammer: 62.00. Javelin: 54.00. Heptathlon: 5,600 points. 20km walk: 1hr 41. 4x100m relay: 44.50sec. 4x400m relay: 3min 32.00.