Skier Sarsfield threatens legal action against BOA after omission from Sochi

By Gary Anderson

January 24 – The British Olympic Association (BOA) has expressed its disappointment for skier Emily Sarsfield but is standing by its controversial decision to omit her from the Sochi 2014 squad, despite her threatening to take legal action against the organisation.

Sarsfield has been controversially left out of the 56-strong Team GB squad named for Sochi 2014, after British Ski and Snowboard (BSS) recommended she be excluded as she did not meet the qualification criteria.

To be eligible for selection, Sarsfield had to obtain three top-24 finishes in International Ski Federation (FIS) events during the current Olympic cycle and finish inside the top-32 of the FIS world rankings which were released on Monday (January 20).

While the 30-year-old achieved the requisite top-24 finishes, which included a 17th place finish at the World Championships, she finished 34th on the world rankings.

However, through a combination of injuries to other qualified skiers, retirements and per-nation quota limits, Sarsfield was eligible for a place at the Games, but a prior agreement between the BOA and the BSS has left the skier out in the cold, with both organisations claiming they cannot accept "hand-backs" or "re-allocations" under the criteria agreed.

That is despite the FIS offering the BOA an invitational place following the rankings change.

Sarsfield, who is the British ski cross number one, has been left "devastated" by the decision and following an unsuccessful appeal earlier this week, she is seeking legal advice on the situation.

"I'm absolutely devastated," said Sarsfield, who missed out on Vancouver 2010 due to injury.

"It's something I've been fighting for for a number of years.

"I'm so upset but I'm angry too as it feels like there are people making decisions that maybe don't have the knowledge about the sport they require.

"I missed Vancouver but I fought back.

"I'm skiing faster than ever.

"I've achieved the performance standards set down by my federation but it appears I'm not going to be taken.

"I'm just hoping that the BOA sees sense.

"I'm on the World Cup circuit at the moment and everyone's like 'see you in Sochi' and I'm like, 'I'm not going'.

"None of the other nations - whether it's the skiers or coaches - can believe it."

Emily Sarsfield (left) achieved three top-24 finishes during the Olympic cycle including 17th at the World Championships ©AFP/Getty Images

However, when contacted by insidethegames, the BOA was adamant the decision to omit Sarsfield will stand, while expressing their disappointment for the athlete.

"In the case of British Ski and Snowboard, the selection criteria specifically stated that 'hand-back' or 'unallocated quota places', as they are commonly referred to, as awarded by their International Federation would not substitute for an athlete earning an automatic quota place," said a spokesperson.

"With respect to Emily Sarsfield, she did not secure an automatic quota place as determined by the International Federation.

"The agreement between the BOA and BSS does not allow for the acceptance of 'hand-back' places.

"All British Ski and Snowboard athletes would have been aware of this position.

"The Olympic Qualification Standards are purposely high.

"Given the investment that has gone into winter sport in the UK, it is expected that every athlete who ultimately competes for Team GB is in a position to deliver a credible performance at the Games.

"We are deeply disappointed for Emily.

"Throughout her athletic career, she has displayed remarkable tenacity and dedication, and we wish her the very best for continued success."

Lawyers for Sarsfield, including Siza Agha who represented sprinter Dwain Chambers when he successfully overturned the BOA's decision to impose lifetime bans on athletes suspended for doping, have written to the BOA urging them to reconsider their decision.

The BOA took up the offer of reallocated spots for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games and it is believed that a similar deal is in place with short track speed skating this time around.

"There's no reason I can see why the BOA would not take up that place in the same way they did in Vancouver," said Agha.

"It's not an issue that is suddenly going to open the floodgates as I believe it affects two British athletes at most.

"I find it surprising that in a sport where we're effectively an emerging country, we're not doing everything we can to increase participation.

"If she was French or Polish or Austrian and was in the same position she'd be going."

Sarsfield missed out on competing at Vancouver 2010 due to injury ©Mitchell Gunn/Getty Images

However, the BSS said in a statement that due to poor performances by "re-allocated" athletes in Vancouver, the policy has been changed for Sochi 2014.

"The policy has changed since Vancouver and it's the same policy for London 2012," they said.

"We had a position with Vancouver where athletes with hand-back places didn't necessarily perform to a credible level.

"The decision was made to take athletes that would put in a credible performance.

"That's the policy as outlined by the BSS and BOA.

"All the athletes with hand-back places came outside the top two-thirds of the field."

Team GB has named a record 19 athletes to its skiing and snowboarding squad for Sochi 2014.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]

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