North American(NA) Olympic Trials

Gao Jun was probably USA's best chance to get to the olympics. I guess that gives the youngsters more of a chance though

Well, seems like not everybody wants Gao Jun in the Team USA setup.

Originally posted by Mudkipz Gao Jun was probably USA's best chance to get to the olympics. I guess that gives the youngsters more of a chance though

Ariel and Lily are better than the remaining Canadians (Zhang Mo already has her ticket) and should really qualify, although they may have trouble with Chris Xu's chopping. Also, the qualifying format guarantees that at least 1 US man and 1 US woman will go to London.

Gao Jun is therefore not "needed" for the purpose of US qualifying this time. Her withdrawal makes sense, although it weakens the team (but then again she barely played in Dortmund anyway). Maybe she'll coach Erica Wu in Cary?


Edited by amateur - 04/18/2012 at 10:53am

Can someone explain to me the process of the trials? I'm a bit confused as to how someone would be chosen to play in the Olympics.  Anybody with the details who's willing to share...that'll be awesome.

Originally posted by jrscatman Originally posted by TTeveryday Can someone explain to me the process of the trials? I'm a bit confused as to how someone would be chosen to play in the Olympics.  Anybody with the details who's willing to share...that'll be awesome. There are 3 spots for men and 2 spots for women (Mo Zhang - Canada has 1 spot - PanAm champ) There is a limit of 2 players per country for singles. The men will play 3 single elimination tournaments. I think they are seeded by their world rankings. So they may end up playing their team mates. Winners from these mini - tournaments go to the Olympics. The team that qualifies 2 players into the singles - can also play the teams in London - so they can take extra player. Again there is a limit of 2 players per country. So both Canada and USA will be represented.  Also Bermuda and Greenland are also in this group - but I guess they are not sending players to try and qualify. Hope this helps

Wait, so if there's 3 for mens and 2 for womens and only 2 players from each country, would that mean that the third qualifier will be the back up? So if the mens from USA took the first 2 places, we will be able to send a USA men's team?

Edited by TTeveryday - 04/18/2012 at 1:02pm

Originally posted by JimT No the team must have three members. If Canada (or USA) take two spots but not three, then their third guy will try to get the third post in May at Final Olympic Qualification in Qatar. And only if he succeeds, there will be a team.

You're forgetting that there is one guaranteed spot for a team from North America through the continental quota. Whoever gets 2 qualifiers in Cary will also qualify for the team event (most likely Canada for the men and USA for the women). The third player will then be added through the team quota and does not need to go to Qatar. Probably this extra spot will go to the next-highest finisher at these Trials.

Originally posted by amateur Originally posted by JimT No the team must have three members. If Canada (or USA) take two spots but not three, then their third guy will try to get the third post in May at Final Olympic Qualification in Qatar. And only if he succeeds, there will be a team. You're forgetting that there is one guaranteed spot for a team from North America through the continental quota. Whoever gets 2 qualifiers in Cary will also qualify for the team event (most likely Canada for the men and USA for the women). The third player will then be added through the team quota and does not need to go to Qatar. Probably this extra spot will go to the next-highest finisher at these Trials.

Really? I didn't know that... but then it makes sense from the "diversity" POV, which IOC is quite fond of. OK then, thanks for the clarification.

Originally posted by JimT Originally posted by kenneyy88 NA Trials - Player Change. Pierre-Luc Theriault (CAN) replaces "Eugene" Wang Zhen (CAN) sucks for Canada, I guess - Eugene was almost a sure shot.

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Can Eugene Wang Zhen play in this Qtar tournament Jim T was talking about and try qualifying that route?

Didn't get his passport!

Originally posted by jrscatman Didn't get his passport!

Originally posted by jrscatman Can Eugene Wang Zhen play in this Qtar tournament Jim T was talking about and try qualifying that route?

I suppose he could - but only two spots are available there (unless some extra ones are added as in 2008; but the system works differently this time). So it will be a tough tournament and he'd have to beat people like Gacina, Keinath, Gauzy, Chtchetinine etc.

Also, if 2 Canadian men qualify this weekend, they would clinch the singles spots for themselves. Not sure how exactly the 3rd player for the team would be selected in this scenario.


Edited by amateur - 04/20/2012 at 8:14am

how does it work? first a SE Bracket to determine the first singles player, then another SE bracket all again to determine the second singles player?

Hinse 4-2 over T Wang , any other results out yet?

Originally posted by Toprank Originally posted by jrscatman The draws are out - should be exciting. Ist round is Canada vs USA - after that hopefully it will be all Canada vs Canada.    Landers beats Theriault. Guess it won't be canada vs. canada. I think Landers is the best USA player...hopefully he can get through early.