In Asian countries, if one were to reach the B standard of the Olympic Games in track and field, it meant that the person would be able to represent the country in participating in the Olympic Games. In European, African, or South American countries that weren't great in sports, reaching the A standard would make one eligible to participate in the Olympic Games.
Only in the US, as the world's number one nation in track and field, reaching the A standard of the Olympics was the lowest standard. In any track and field event, the number of athletes who could reach the A standard of the Olympics was numerous.
