1.   Boston has always been a serious race, with strict qualifying standards.

2.   Brennan said that Atlanta officials would seek to upgrade qualifying standards for the marathon so that unqualified runners would not enter the race.

3.   But our race is more manageable, and the quality of the runners is much higher here because of those qualifying standards.

4.   But some BBWAA members are questioning the fairness of those qualifying standards when applied to a pitcher who spent five pro seasons with the Kintetsu Buffaloes.

5.   Each country will be guaranteed a male and a female competitor, but additional athletes must meet a qualifying standard.

6.   Except for the defending champions, all others must meet rigid qualifying standards.

7.   Just as the BAA finally went to qualifying standards for the marathon, the Head is leading that way, too.

8.   Labor experts say other professions have tinkered with their qualifying standards when there were either too few or too many applicants.

9.   Navalta has already met the Olympic qualifying standard for women.

10.   Provided Hunt meets qualifying standards, he will qualify for the world championships in August.