{"id":589754,"date":"2026-08-11T08:44:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T08:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/589754\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T08:44:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T08:44:13","slug":"not-bye-ing-it-raftery-questions-qualification-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/589754\/","title":{"rendered":"Not bye-ing it: Raftery questions qualification rules"},"content":{"rendered":"

“I completely disagree with it.”<\/p>\n

Those were the first words out of Jack Raftery’s mouth upon stepping off the track after running close to his season\u2019s best in the Men\u2019s 400 metre heats on Day 1 at the European Athletics Championships.<\/a><\/p>\n

For the second time, European Athletics have chosen to not only give top-ranked athletes byes to the semi-finals, but progression to the next round for the unlucky athletes who don\u2019t get a bye is on time only, with no reward for placing highly in your heat.<\/p>\n

It’s an element to the competition which has largely flown under the radar outside of those directly involved in competing but the question needs to be asked – is it fair?<\/p>\n

The first round of the Men\u2019s 400m saw Raftery finish second but a tense wait followed to see if his time of 47.81 was enough to progress.<\/p>\n

After the three heats had concluded, ranked ninth, Raftery was within the top 12 required to progress.<\/p>\n

“Job done,” he told RT\u00c9 Sport.<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old then pointed out how the elements had a crucial – and sometimes detrimental – effect on the reliance on times.<\/p>\n

“We kind of sat and watched the first heat from in the corner, because you have to keep an eye on times,” he said.<\/p>\n

“We thought the track looked fast. I just think the wind picked up for it. I went out, and it was in your face down the back straight, it’s going to take a lot out of you.<\/p>\n

“I think it’s (the time) worth a lot more on a calm day for me because I think I executed it perfectly.”<\/p>\n

Really good run from Jack Raftery in his Men’s 400m heat at the European Championships – and it’s good enough to send him into tomorrow’s semi-finals #RTEsport<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/j31OgvusCr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 RT\u00c9 Sport (@RTEsport) August 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

There are no wind readings for the Men’s 400m event, but the Women\u2019s 100m heats that took place just before had a swing from +3.2m\/s in the first heat to 0.0m\/s in the second.<\/p>\n

Weather conditions are notoriously unreliable in countries like England where the European Championships are being held this year so it’s important to study their effect on time-based qualifications.<\/p>\n

Ireland\u2019s Ciara Neville benefitted from a windy gust during heat one and qualified for the semi-finals with 11.29 with the +3.2m\/s tailwind. Lauren Roy then missed out on the top 12 by just 0.01 with only a +1.8m\/s wind behind her.<\/p>\n

The wind-adjusted time calculators aren’t always accurate, but according to it, had Roy and Neville been in the equal conditions it would be the former who advanced.<\/p>\n

Overall, the wind swings in the women\u2019s 100m didn\u2019t have a massive impact. Under the usual system of top three in each heat plus three fastest, the final list of who progressed would have been similar.<\/p>\n

Another challenge is effort-related. Athletes running in the first round are not able to ease up or relax. A harder effort is required of the lower ranked athletes and they already have several disadvantages to contend with.<\/p>\n

Raftery feels that the change from 12 qualifiers instead of the three-in-three makes it unfair for the other athletes.<\/p>\n

“You’re asking everyone to run flat out today, no matter what,” he said.<\/p>\n

“No one can ease up, even though if we’re 50 to go, if they know they’re clear\u2026 I completely disagree with it.”<\/p>\n

Arguably the byes are more unfair.<\/p>\n

Sport is never an even playing field, but when you consider athletics where times, heights and distances are the measurables, giving preferential treatment to those who are already at the top seems cruel and minimises the realistic prospects of underdogs and younger athletes having breakthrough performances.<\/p>\n

\"8
\nJonathan Sacoor of Belgium, left, with Ireland’s Chris O’Donnell at 2024 European Championships<\/p>\n

For the last three editions of the European Championships, the top-ranked athletes in the 100m, 200m, 400m and sprint hurdle events have been given byes to the semi-final stage of the competition, and the number has gradually increased each time. But why?<\/p>\n

In Munich in 2022 it was eight, Rome in 2024 it was nine and now in 2026 in Birmingham 12 athletes will enter the sprint competitions at the semi-final stage.<\/p>\n

Only half of the semi-final fields in the 400m will compete in the heats.<\/p>\n

Whilst Raftery, Neville and Roy were up early getting ready for the first round, the best in Europe were still in their beds resting up for their first appearances.<\/p>\n

Anyone who has competed in the sport knows the feeling of waking up the next day, legs aching and heavy and knowing the start line beckons again.<\/p>\n

There is usually some comfort taken in imagining others would be feeling the same.<\/p>\n

In the men’s 400m in Rome two years ago, only two individuals who ran the first round made the final, Jonathan Sacoor and Lionel Spitz.<\/p>\n

Sacoor ended up fourth, just 0.1 of a second away from bronze, and with that extra round in his legs he must have been left wondering how he could have done with fewer miles on the clock.<\/p>\n

Spitz was last, a second and a half back after a gruelling schedule that saw him also compete in the mixed 4x400m final on the first evening of the competition.<\/p>\n

For Sacoor, and many like him, the tough Olympic year where he competed across both championships in the individual and two relay events resulted in a bit of a down year in 2025.<\/p>\n

Maybe one reason why the policy could be justified in reducing the impact of busy championships years, but this priviledge is only given to a few.<\/p>\n

Initial justification was provided as encouraging big names to continue to support the championships in Olympic years, where athletes have two big competitions to contend with, but there are no Olympics this year, nor in 2022.<\/p>\n

\"Rhasidat
\nRhasidat Adeleke is set to enter the 200m at the semi-finals<\/p>\n

Several Irish athletes will benefit from the policy in Birmingham.<\/p>\n

Israel Olatunde won\u2019t be on the start line in the heats of the men\u2019s 100m on Tuesday morning but after an injury hampered build-up, with no racing since April someone like him could have benefitted from an extra round to get into the swing of things.<\/p>\n

Rhasidat Adeleke and Sean Aigboboh will both enter the 200m at the semi-final stage.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, some common sense has prevailed and the lane seeding for the semi-finals is based on season\u2019s best while qualification to the finals is top two in each race plus two fastest.<\/p>\n

The casual viewer at home will watch the semi-finals of the men’s 400m this evening and have no clue that it isn’t a level playing field.<\/p>\n

We will leave the last line to Raftery: “Championships are about being the best racer, navigating the rounds. We all prep for it, Olympics, Worlds everything else\u2026 I hate it. You give 12 lads a rest.”<\/p>\n

Watch the European Athletics Championships from Monday to Sunday with morning and evening sessions on RT\u00c92 and RT\u00c9 Player.<\/p>\n