The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has extended the qualification period by moving the start date back five months, from October 2011 to May 2011.

The final selection date of July 8, 2012 for all events other than the relays remains unchanged.

"This gives athletes a chance to use the domestic Aviva Series, a host of Samsung Diamond League meetings and also international competitions such as the IAAF World Championships in South Korea as qualification platforms," a UK Athletics statement said.

The UK Athletics 2012 London Olympic Selection policy stipulates automatic nomination for athletes claiming the first two places at the Olympic Trials, due to be held June 22-24 2012, provided that they hold a current A standard or that they place in the top eight at this years World Championships in Daegu, which is due to held between August 27 and September 4 2011.

If athletes do not qualify through a first or second place finish at the trials, they may also be eligible through meeting A or B standards during the qualification periods, as outlined in the policy.

Charles van Commenee, Britain's head coach, commented: "The changes to qualification periods are welcomed as athletes will have more opportunity to meet our standards, which are not easy to achieve, to produce the best from our team.

"I'm confident the 2011 season will produce some great performances from British athletes who, with just 458 days to go until the Games, are all striving to excel at the Olympic Games in London."

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