A few weeks after announcing that the qualification system for next year’s World Championships in Doha would be based on world rankings, the IAAF has now gone back to its existing entry standards-based system.
This will be a big relief for Indian athletes.
Athletes can now qualify for the Doha Worlds by achieving the entry standard within the qualification period (Sept. 7, 2018 to Sept. 6, 2019 for most events) or by winning the area championship in all individual events (except marathon) or by wild card (reigning world champion, IAAF Diamond winner etc).
For relays, the 2019 IAAF World Relays (top 12 in mixed 4x400m and top eight in other relays) in Yokohama and the rest from top lists will be considered (total 16 teams).
The IAAF Council will approve the entry standards in Monaco on December 3 and 4.
Sebastian Coe, the IAAF president, said that though the world rankings are the best way to qualify for major championships, the athletes need to fully understand the complex system which takes time.