Athletics rule changes

RayCun

I don't imagine anyone is interested in how many numbers pole vaulters have to wear, but some of these have been the subject of discussion on here...

In the case of mass participation events held outside the stadium, these Rules should normally only be applied in full to those athletes, if any, who are designated as taking part in the elite or other defined section of the races such as age group categories for which there are placings for awards or prizes. Race organisers should outline in the information provided to other athletes which other rules will apply to their participation, particularly those pertaining to their safety

So (most people) are safe to take those sweets from the spectators in Dublin marathon, they won't be disqualified. On the other hand, for the elite athletes

An athlete who receives or collects refreshment or water from a place other than the official stations, except where provided for medical reasons from or under the direction of race officials, or takes the refreshment of another athlete, should, for a first such offence, be warned by the Referee normally by showing a yellow card. For a second offence, the Referee shall disqualify the athlete, normally by showing a red card. The athlete shall then immediately leave the course.

and also

Note: An athlete may receive from or pass to another athlete refreshment, water or sponges provided it was carried from the start or collected or received at an official station. However, any continuous support from an athlete to one or more others in such a way may be regarded as unfair assistance and warnings and/or disqualifications as outlined above may be applied.

For the purpose of this Rule, the following examples shall be considered assistance, and are therefore not allowed:...
(f)Receiving physical support from another athlete (other than helping to recover to a standing position) that assists in making forward progression in a race.

So if another athlete carries you the last 100m then no, you didn't win.

this one is a puzzle

Each athlete shall jump go over each hurdle. Failure to do so will result in a disqualification.
In addition, an athlete shall be disqualified, if:
(a) his foot or leg is, at the instant of clearance, beside the hurdle (on either side), below the horizontal plane of the top of any hurdle; or
(b) in the opinion of the Referee, he deliberately knocks down any hurdle.
Note: Provided that this Rule is otherwise observed and the hurdle is not displaced or its height lowered in any manner including tilting in any direction, an athlete may go over the hurdle in any manner.

which other manners of going over hurdles are allowed here?

8. The judge shall not raise a white flag to indicate a valid trial until a trial is completed.
The judge may reconsider a decision if he believes he raised the incorrect flag.

So if a judge raises the white flag while the jumper is still on the mat, then sees the high jump bar fall, they are allowed change to a red flag.

Murph_D

Interesting. So apart from the elites, any club runner, who is by default participating in national championships (in the case of Dublin Marathon e.g), can be disqualified for accepting a jelly, etc. Similarly any club or non-club runner could be disqualified from age category prizes for the same violation, or breach of other rules such as the singlet rule (in the case of club runners), which has been described by some officials as “unenforceable”.

RayCun

Murph_D wrote: »

Interesting. So apart from the elites, any club runner, who is by default participating in national championships (in the case of Dublin Marathon e.g), can be disqualified for accepting a jelly, etc. Similarly any club or non-club runner could be disqualified from age category prizes for the same violation, or breach of other rules such as the singlet rule (in the case of club runners), which has been described by some officials as “unenforceable”.

That's always been the case, because the rules were written with the model race being small and elite-only, and probably on a track.

What has changed is the recognition that these rules may not be enforceable in mass participation races, outside the elite section.

Krusty_Clown

RayCun wrote: »

Which other manners of going over hurdles are allowed here?

Fosbury Flop. Not the most efficient approach in a hurdles race, but certainly within the letter of the law.

Where are the rule changes from Ray? Are they IAAF? It's a little unfair on those who fall between the elite category (can have their own personal drinks at allocated stations), and those for whom the rules don't apply (can get drinks from anywhere) as they are the only group who cannot have a personal drink/nutrition provided to them on the course.

Thud

RayCun wrote: »

So if another athlete carries you the last 100m then no, you didn't win.

Didn't the Brownlee's help each other a while back?

RayCun

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Fosbury Flop. Not the most efficient approach in a hurdles race, but certainly within the letter of the law.

still a jump though, surely?

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Where are the rule changes from Ray? Are they IAAF? It's a little unfair on those who fall between the elite category (can have their own personal drinks at allocated stations), and those for whom the rules don't apply (can get drinks from anywhere) as they are the only group who cannot have a personal drink/nutrition provided to them on the course.

https://www.iaaf.org/about-iaaf/documents/rules-regulations

The 2018/19 rules. AAI sent out an update flagging the changes.

This one is a relaxation of the rules rather than a tightening. There was always a rule against athletes getting outside assistance, including water from spectators (remember there was some controversy a few years back over Maria McCambridge getting water from Dick Hooper in the Rome? marathon?)

I think the change is acknowledging that there is no way to police all the entrants in a mass participation race, and no real reason to do so. But those who are competing for awards/prizes still have to stick to official aid stations.

Is there any policing of the drinks at those stations? If you leave a bottle at the elite table, can the organisers take a sample from it?

RayCun

Thud wrote: »

Didn't the Brownlee's help each other a while back?

yeah, but that's triathlon rules, which are

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

:pac:

Krusty_Clown

RayCun wrote: »

This one is a relaxation of the rules rather than a tightening. There was always a rule against athletes getting outside assistance, including water from spectators (remember there was some controversy a few years back over Maria McCambridge getting water from Dick Hooper in the Rome? marathon?)

True - but it doesn't change the fact it's providing an unfair advantage to elite runners and non-competitive athletes in mass-participant races. Not that there's really anything that can be done to rectify the situation. Perhaps the most fair suggestion would be to get rid of elite drink/nutrition stations in a marathon. One rule for all!

RayCun

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

True - but it doesn't change the fact it's providing an unfair advantage to elite runners and non-competitive athletes in mass-participant races. Not that there's really anything that can be done to rectify the situation. Perhaps the most fair suggestion would be to get rid of elite drink/nutrition stations in a marathon. One rule for all!

with the bonus effect of improving marathon times back to where they were in the good old days

robinph

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

True - but it doesn't change the fact it's providing an unfair advantage to elite runners and non-competitive athletes in mass-participant races. Not that there's really anything that can be done to rectify the situation. Perhaps the most fair suggestion would be to get rid of elite drink/nutrition stations in a marathon. One rule for all!

But if a previously non competitive athlete gets additional assistance so then overtakes you and claims your old bloke prize because you didn't get the outside assistance then you just lodge an appeal and get them DQ'ed for taking an extra jelly baby from someone...Or assume that nobody is watching you either.

Does make it harder to make the leap up from not-quite elite though.

Murph_D

Doesn't have to be an old bloke prize - applies to any runner in a club vest in DCM for example, as they are all competing in national (and provincial and county) championship, in all age categories and team categories. Still pretty unenforceable I would think without photographic evidence - although the singlet rule is obviously very easily enforceable as everyone is virtually guaranteed to be photographed.

I wonder what has changed that now makes these rules more 'enforceable' - or is it more the case that they are simply to no longer be ignored?