Memorial is responding after word that the university’s women’s track team was unable to attend a recent meet in Nova Scotia, despite having qualified for the event.

The suggestion was that the women’s team was unable to attend because the university had booked seats for the men’s team, leaving no room for the women. Memorial University says MUN competes in the Atlantic University Sport cross-country championships every season. According to a statement from the university, student athletes must meet a minimum standard introduced three years ago to ensure competitive results.

Memorial was represented at St. FX by five male athletes who were accompanied by two coaches. According to the university, the female athletes hadn’t met the standard until September 15th. That was less than a week before the meet, and the university was unable to secure flights in that “tight timeline.”

Another cross country meet is taking place at Acadia University this weekend, and both male and female athletes will be competing for Memorial.