Amazement among athletes about Olympic limits: 'But that's not the whole story'

Bashir Abdi criticized the new Olympic marathon qualification times set by World Athletics, which are significantly faster than previous limits. The men's limit is now under 2:05, surpassing the current Olympic record, while the women's limit is set at 2:22:20. Noah Schutte noted that many athletes misunderstand these times, thinking they are mandatory for Olympic qualification. However, athletes can also qualify based on their world ranking, which is becoming increasingly important. The Dutch Olympic Committee has yet to announce its own qualification criteria for the 2028 Games, adding uncertainty for athletes like Schutte, who must perform well in upcoming competitions to secure a spot.