I hate it when politics trumps performance!
A few years ago a young phenom beat everyone in his country. After beating the adults, juniors, and all challengers the powers to be decided there had to be another playoff two days after the playoff. Young phenom lost to a favorite in a tie-breaker.
Now was it fair the PTB (powers to be) made Young phenom play again? Why not another challenge two days after the challenge of the challenge? Let’s do 4 of 7 like a world series? It becomes ridiculous!
When I coached the USA team, the Mexican team, and the Irish team I tried to take the best who won. I wanted the subjectivity out of it. I did not want to choose. I have to admit once i did choose. The athlete got in my face and challenged me and I backed down and took the athlete. That athlete won the tournament and proved me wrong and themselves right; but it was too late. I lost the support of the athlete because I did not believe in them when I should have.
From then on I trusted the process and took winners of the challenges no matter what. I remember one athlete telling me “Good luck with your team this year. You have some weak winners.” Know what I replied?
“Last year when you won, I was told the same thing!”
Both years in the above mentioned situations, we won because the athletes who can win under pressure perform better under pressure of the Worlds.
The only thing I would change if it was possible fiscally, is to have the playoffs for worlds last ten days like the tournament does and use the same ball the IRF uses for qualifying.
Back to the original thought. Politicians love to think they know who the best players are. They do not-results of competition show you the best players!