I respect the objective of fielding the team with the best potential for results/medals. I can't in a wholesale way fault the USFSA for this.
However, as you focus on this objective you risk overlooking occasions when someone out of your sights skates for it, raising their hand in an important moment. Happened here. In this case you're always going to fudge/interpret/tweak the criteria to select who you ultimately want.
That dynamic feels less 'sporting' to me, where athletes no matter how you cut it will only have so much influence in gaining access to the team through their performance and by having that moment when everyone was watching. It will continue to come down to a subjective vote, shrouded in whatever mask of objectivity the powers that be decide to fabricate for the cycle.
Said another way, the real drama doesn't unfold so much on the ice, but in a meeting hours later beyond closed doors.
However, as you focus on this objective you risk overlooking occasions when someone out of your sights skates for it, raising their hand in an important moment. Happened here. In this case you're always going to fudge/interpret/tweak the criteria to select who you ultimately want.
That dynamic feels less 'sporting' to me, where athletes no matter how you cut it will only have so much influence in gaining access to the team through their performance and by having that moment when everyone was watching. It will continue to come down to a subjective vote, shrouded in whatever mask of objectivity the powers that be decide to fabricate for the cycle.
Said another way, the real drama doesn't unfold so much on the ice, but in a meeting hours later beyond closed doors.