Fastest two runners will get SEA Games nod: SAA

SINGAPORE — The Singapore Athletic Association (SAA) has clarified that it would send the nation’s best two runners to contest the men’s marathon gold at the SEA Games in June.

Soh Rui Yong and Ashley Liew are putting up strong cases to race in the event won by Singapore’s Mok Ying Ren at the 2013 Myanmar Games, with Mok expected to defend his title.

With each nation allowed only two athletes per event, questions were raised after SAA vice-president of training and selection Canagasabai Kunalan (picture) was quoted in a media report saying factors such as current form, consistency of performance, and injury concerns would count if more than two runners meet the qualifying mark.

But Kunalan yesterday clarified that the two who clocked the fastest times would be picked to defend Singapore’s gold and that the SAA had written to six potential candidates and their coaches to explain the selection process.

“All along, the criteria have been for the two best timings and the additional factors come in only when two people clock the same time, which is unlikely (for a marathon),” he said.

“Even if it came to that, we will talk to the athletes and coaches about it. If only one qualifies, the remaining spot will go to the runner with the better time, subject to appeal with the Singapore National Olympic Council.”

Athletes have until the end of March to hit the SEA Games qualifying marks, with the 12-month qualifying window to close after the 77th Singapore Open Track and Field Championships from March 28 to 29. Currently, only United States-based Soh has met the qualifying mark of 2hr 30min 30sec after clocking 2:26:01 at last month’s California International Marathon.

Liew will make his qualifying attempt at the New Orleans Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon on Sunday, while Mok is planning his for next month.

After hearing from the SAA, a relieved Soh said in a Facebook post: “I appreciate the transparency shown by the SAA. Despite what many members of the public have written in asking, we cannot open an additional slot and send all three for the SEA Games. It’s not a matter of our financial resources but a matter of the SEA Games rules — strictly two per event.”