Teenager likely ineligible to race in Olympics

The youngest woman to qualify for the US Olympic Trials in the marathon since 1984, Alana Hadley, likely won’t be eligible to race on the Olympic team, even if she jumps through all the hoops associated with qualifying.

The 18-year-old high school senior from North Carolina recently won the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, breaking the course record and qualifying for the US Olympic Trials, the second time she’s run a qualifying mark. The trails, which are used to pick the runners who will represent the United States in the marathon at the Olympics, are scheduled to be held next February in Los Angeles. Hadley will be allowed to run, but if she finishes in the top three she likely won’t be allowed to compete in the Olympics.

The International Association and Athletics Federations, the world’s governing body over track and road running, sets the minimum ages for those who are allowed to compete at the Olympics and world championships in the disciplines they govern, which includes the marathon. All the track and field events have a minimum age of 18. The only outlier is the marathon, with the minimum age set at 20 in recent Olympics. There’s no reason to think it will be lowered for the 2016 Games in Rio.

Hadley, who’s been coached since a young age by her father, will only be 19 when the trials and Olympics are held next summer.

Still, even if the age is changed and Hadley is eligible for the Olympics, it seems unlikely she’ll have any shot at actually making the team. Currently her time of 2:38:34 sits 45th on the list of women who have qualified. The US, like all countries, will only be allowed to send three athletes.