For anyone puzzled by the ice dance representatives for Spain where Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck are only listed as alternates - you are not alone.
According to what has been posted in various places, the Spanish Federation has, in the past (including the 2022 Olympics), used
total scores earned in international competitions during the current season plus the results at their national championships to make their selections. This year, in a late season announcement (Nov. 16, 2023), they said they would base the selection on the total
technical (TES) scores earned. I understand the announcement was made at a point where it was not possible from Smart & Dieck to raise their total by entering another competition whereas the other team was about to compete at the Bosphorus Cup, an event which was reportedly quite overscored.
The results of the 2023 Spanish Championships in Sr. Ice Dance:
1 Olivia Sophie SMART / Tim DIECK - 184.98
2 Sofía VAL / Asaf Kazimov - 178.79
3 Philomene SABOURIN / Raul BERMEJO GUTIERREZ - 138.46
The totals on which the Spanish Federation decision was based:
Val/Kazimov
Spanish Nats: 178.79 (TES 103.75)
Budapest: 168.34 (TES 97.44)
Bosphorus:176.36 (TES 103.43)
Total: 523.49
Total TES: 304.62
Smart/Dieck
Spanish Nats: 184.98 (TES 101.22)
Finlandia: 178.47 (TES 98.81)
Skate America: 180.67 (TES 100.14)
Total: 544.12
Total TES: 300.17
From Olivia Smart on X (formerly Twitter):
What a whirlwind the past few days have been. I am not staying silent and I can confirm that Tim, myself and our team were in complete shock by all of it. We see your support and we appreciate it very very much.