Proposed 'Champs' changes could benefit bigger teams - Dyke

Coach of Edwin Allen's girls track and field team Michael Dyke says the proposed changes for the 2017 ISSA Boys and Girls Athletics championships will put larger teams at an advantage.

Among the proposals is that athletes will now be able to contest a maximum of four events, two individual events and two relays. In previous years, athletes were allowed to contest up to three individual events and two relays.

“Depending on how you look at it, it might benefit the bigger teams. The bigger teams will have more athletes so they will be able to spread even better. A smaller team will try to maximize one athlete by having them do three or four events. I think it’s not a bad idea especially where the bigger teams are concerned,” said Dyke.

Dyke, however expressed reservations about the proposal which would limit the girls 3000 metres and 2000 metres steeplechase to only class one and two athletes. Dyke has coached Edwin Allen to four ISSA Girls Champs titles including three in the past three  years.