Van Commenee maintains tough selection policy for Euros

UKA head coach Charles Van Commenee's no-compromise approach to British athletics continued as he announced the selection criteria for next July's European Championships in Barcelona.

TOUGH STANDARDS: UKA head coach Charles Van Commenee's selection criteria for July's European Championships will be the same as for this year's World Championships (Getty Images)

While the event is often seen as the opportunity to blood new talent into the British ranks, with qualification standards adjusted accordingly, the Dutchman has taken the opposing view.

Instead the standards will be identical to those for August's World Championships in Berlin.  Van Commenee admitted he was treating the Europeans as an important step in the path to London 2012 with next year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi a more appropriate opportunity for developing athletes.

"We're looking for contenders in Barcelona, not pretenders," he said. "Nobody has ever progressed by lowering the bar and at this point in the Olympic cycle we are looking to prepare and shape contenders for London.

"Therefore, we want to use every major championship as practice for that. We expect those selected to make the finals, not simply compete.

"The Commonwealth Games presents a chance for those developing athletes who are just outside the European standards to gain high quality competition at an international level."

The British team exceeded expectation to bring home six medals from Berlin, including gold for Jessica Ennis in the women's heptathlon and Phillips Idowu in the men's triple jump.