Wales’ fastest ever woman says it is “crazy” the nation’s selection rules mean she cannot compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Hannah Brier broke a 44-year national record in running 22.79 seconds for the 200m in London on Tuesday.
But that time – fast enough to have won bronze at the last Games – was eight days late for Team Wales selection who set a deadline of 17 May.
That date is three weeks before that of Team Scotland and four weeks before Team England hopefuls need to qualify.
Brier, 28, said she is devastated to miss what is likely to be her last Games, while Welsh Athletics – the sports governing body – said it had raised concerns in March that the deadline was “extremely early” for track and field athletes.
In a statement Team Wales said they would not comment on individual cases, adding that their full selection process is published on their website “for full transparency”.
Brier had already run the Commonwealth B standard of 23.07 before the deadline but Team Wales policy is that athletes beat – not just match – that mark for selection.
The Swansea Harrier, who also holds the Welsh 100m record, then underlined her status as the fastest Welsh woman of all time by breaking the national 200m record held set by Michelle Scutt in 1982.
“It’s very difficult for us Welsh athletes because we almost have to come out with our absolute A-game in April or May which is crazy when the championships are in August,” she told BBC Sport Wales.
“The standards are tough but relatively fair, but how early the deadlines are set needs to be looked at.
“It makes me think if I’m running these times now in May, what on earth am I going to be running in August because it’s only up from here.”
Brier was just 16 years old when she competed at her first Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and was desperate to enjoy her last in the same city.
“To be the shape that I’m in now, knowing that I [could] go there gunning for a medal, in my last Commonwealth Games, is really gutting,” she said.
“I said four years ago [in Birmingham] that was going to be my last time and here I am running Welsh records and European standards.
“[But] the way the sport is moving, it’s going to be really tough for me to keep running the standards I’m running in four years time.”
Less time for Welsh athletes
James Williams, Chief Executive Officer at Welsh Athletics, said the situation is “hugely frustrating” for Brier.
“We did raise this possibility last March with Team Wales that the required deadline for nomination was extremely early in the track and field season. We had to align our timelines for nomination to the Team Wales requirements,” he said.
“A number of athletes throughout have commented on the additional time afforded to athletes from Scotland and England to achieve the required performances – had it been consistent throughout the UK, then we would be having a very different discussion.”
However, Team Wales chair Gareth Davies defended their policy.
“We do not comment on individual cases,” he said in response to a BBC request for a statement on Brier’s situation.
“Athletes have completed their nomination processes with their respective sports, and nominations were submitted to Commonwealth Games Wales on Monday this week.
The three week selection process starts on Monday and our full process is published on our website for full transparency.”
Brier’s time was enough to reach the standard for this summer’s European Championships in Birmingham.
But first she must secure a Great Britain place at the British Athletics Championships – also the team trials – in the same city on 20-21 June against the likes of Amy Hunt, Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita.
“There’s some big names in that pool and I’ve got a little bit of imposter syndrome at the moment,” Brier said.
“My challenge is to stand on the start line and truly believe I deserve to be there and to be competitive.
“Lining up against them is crazy anyway, let alone thinking I need to get as close as I can to them. It’s really exciting.”
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