World Juniors
British Athletics provides the opportunity with age group championships for athletes and coaches to experience and learn the key skills, abilities and behaviours needed to progress through the pathway and on to the senior international stage. With the strategic aim of athletes progressing on to become successful at future senior international championships and ultimately the Olympic Games.
British Athletics aim to select a competitive team and athletes who they believe have the potential to reach a ‘Final’ relative to their event at the World Juniors. To best support athlete development through the Age Group’s Pathway and to provide opportunities for more athletes to gain a GB&NI vest, British Athletics will take all qualifiers – 2 per event. However there are a number of risks we’ll be monitoring that may impact our ability to take a team such as;
- Health risks associated with COVID-19 and international travel
- Security risks associated with travel to Cali, Colombia as per the UK Government Foreign travel advice
If anyone has further questions regarding these Championships, please contact – agegroupchampsinfo@britishathletics.org.uk
Covid Protocol Update May 2022
Please note we have been advised that athletes wishing to compete at the Mannheim Gala or World U20 championships in Cali must be fully vaccinated.
Mannheim & World U20 Team Management
Trevor Painter – BA Pathway Coach Lead – World u20 Team Leader
Laura Turner-Alleyne – BA Pathway Sprints, Relays & Hurdles POC – Mannheim International Team Leader
Sharon Morris – BA Athlete Pathway Senior Coordinator (Olympic) – World u20 Team Manager
Dan Wagner – BA Performance Pathway Manager – Head of Delegation
Qualification :
Selection Standards – The selection standards for this event will be outlined in the Selection Policy found here 2022 Selection Policies | UK Athletics
Qualification Window – To be considered as part of the selection process qualification performances must be achieved between from 1st January 2022 to the completion of the trials on Sunday 17th July 2022.
Selection Trials – The World U20 Championships Trials for all events except 3,000m, 5,000m and combined events will take place on 16-17 July 2022 in Bedford. There is the opportunity for the events not staged in Bedford on 16 – 17 July as follows:
• Men’s and Women’s 3,000m – 24 June 2022 – Manchester
• Men’s and Women’s 5,000m – 12 June 2022 – Watford (BMC meet).
• Combined events – 28 – 29 May 2022 – Birmingham. This is the England Athletics Senior/U20/U23 Outdoor Combined Events Championships.
Planning – Key things to consider
- Climate: – Average temperature in August ranges 19 – 29oC, with the warmest times of the day being ~11 am to ~8 pm. Therefore, temperature may not start to cool down until after 8pm. Average relative humidity in August ranges 55 – 80%, so it could be very muggy. At its highest these conditions could feel very uncomfortable. For comparison, London is 16 – 24 oC and 50 – 70 % humidity and would feel more comfortable than Cali for the same time of year.For these conditions all athletes would benefit from good hydration strategies, and consideration to how they conduct themselves within these environmental conditions. Endurance athletes may potentially benefit from acclimation prior to travel if competing in a day session.
- Altitude: Cali, Columbia is ~1007m above sea level, which is at a slight altitude. It is considered that training would be minimally affected, but maximal performance may have a slight drop if performing directly after arriving. Therefore, consider your arrival in relation to competing and endurance athletes may benefit from acclimation if competing soon after arrival.
- Time Difference: Cali, Columbia is 5 hours behind UK time, ie. when it is 11 am in the UK it is 6 am in Cali. Therefore, nearer the time considerations to how to plan the first few days may be required to enable a smoother transition, as travel fatigue will be a consideration and jet leg may have an effect too.
- Training Blocks? When to peak?
- Which competition? When? Where? Why?
- Who will be the team staff for your event – start to build relationship
- Assess opposition and what will be needed to progress through rounds
- Nutrition – snacks for championships?
- Lifestyle Planning & extras