His strong complaints about the qualification system for this year’s Olympic Gamesexpressed through a post on social media, o Alexander Papamichael.
Despite his very good performances this year, the 36-year-old champion in at all he will not travel to Paris, characterizing the qualification system as unfair, while he also referred to SEGAS and the Panhellenic championships which had a special weight in the world federation’s rating.
Alexandros Papamichael’s post:
“And officially now out of the Olympic Games.. after 12 years I lose my 4th participation through a very “UNFAIR” qualifying system.
In one year with 3 Panhellenic Records and many individual performances.
After 12 races in a row in 20km, 5km, 10km and 2 Mixed Relay races…
Without any rest and with a great psychological, physical and financial burden I can now say with certainty that this “FAILURE” is not my responsibility.
In a year when the National Championships, as proved by the final list in the World Ranking, played a decisive role in our qualification for major events (as the qualification system has changed and performance matters), we “Greeks” ” we chose to “BURN” it..
While the other countries made sure to give a proper chance to their own athletes.
Three times I confirmed that I had the necessary time on my feet!.. 3 TIMES!!!
All he needed from the Federation was to listen to us.
Athletes and coaches, with a letter that we sent and signed, we emphasized the inappropriateness of the route to Astros Kynourias and yet the match was held there despite everything!
No one listened to us and in a critical year, an Olympic year, we conclude that the “voice” of the Athlete who fights day and night to fulfill his dreams MUST be heard!
SEGAS may have tried to organize better races along the way, but the 20km National Championship was not enough, it was a walk.
I didn’t give up and chased one race after another in official Gold & Silver level races, I did 3 times much better performance than what was needed in the national championships without being able to get the extra score given through the National Championships !
I am really sorry.
This year I had, if not the first, the second best year of my career and I feel like you somehow robbed me of my dream.
And to catch you up, the National Championship may not have asked for another city.. but clearly you could have chosen another route as we all knew from last year that this particular route is unsuitable.
“We are walking, we are not setting sail for the Aegean to choose the route with the most Beaufort!”
In addition, both the top performance of all time at 5km at the National Championship in Volos and 2 weeks before the Panhellenic Record improved by 5 minutes in Skytali passed with “fine” letters!
I am writing this particular post mainly because I am suffocated by the injustice, but also because I owe an explanation to the people who supported me this year and really believed in me.
A big thank you to everyone”.
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
