Just prior to the USA Olympic Trials Marathon in February, 2016, USATF announced that it would permit anyone who had run under 2:45 to enter the marathon. This change was implemented to comply with the IOC standards - which had been set to match the IAAF Standards. (In other words, our minimum qualifying time could not be tougher than the minimum qualifying time for the Olympics).
I say that because - for 2019 Worlds, the IAAF just set times of 2:16 for men and 2:37 for women, down from 2:19 and 2:45 respectively.
Does this mean that the IOC will change their Olympic Standard for 2024 to this new mark? And if so, will USATF follow suit?
If you were on the cusp of qualifying for the 2020 trials (for the good or the bad) - things may be getting a heck of a lot harder for 2024.........