USA Triathlon reports the Hyvee Triathlon will include a swim at an alternate site, enabling Olmypic selection for the third and final men's and women's spots to be decided at the race. Despite levees breaking in the Des Moines area, water quality at West Des Moines' Blue Heron Lake has tested safe. USAT Junior National Team Coach has checked out the venue and reports first hand that race officials have done great work to prepare the alternate site. It appears better staged than the ITU World Champs in Vancouver last weekend, he said, and race day is still three days away.
USAT and USOC officials have developed a backup plan should conditions in Des Moines deteriorate in the next several days, which they are not expected to. The Lifetime Fitness race in Minneapolis would be the final selection race as federation and Olympic committee officials seek to keep the final selection decision in the hands of athletes. Lifetime Fitness has agreed to make its popular elite race draft legal if needed to accomodate Olympic selection.
The above USAT link also has insightful analysis of how the final Olympic qualifier in Des Moines could play out--who is in contention and what does each athlete need to do to secure a spot. This final spot is one among three races, the cumulative scores from which will determine the final members of the Olympic team.
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