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Elite Athletics Thread

168 watchers
SPR
Mar 2017
5:03pm, 8 Mar 2017
23,594 posts
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SPR
The rules have always been that you start the race (pacers on track listed as DNF, not sure about road races) and the effort rule like you say covers the other eventuality. If you arrange for someone to breach the rules then you're party to the offense especially if you benefit.
SPR
Mar 2017
5:06pm, 8 Mar 2017
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SPR
I haven't actually seen the rules written but have picked this up from watching/ listening and maybe articles. Will see if I can find it in the actual rules somewhere.
SPR
Mar 2017
5:11pm, 8 Mar 2017
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SPR
UK athletics rules of competition, rule 21 assistance, and rule 152 and 153.
SPR
Mar 2017
5:42pm, 8 Mar 2017
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SPR
This just reminded me that when Tergat set the marathon WR, the pacer finished 1 sec behind if I remember correctly.
Mar 2017
6:55pm, 8 Mar 2017
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larkim
Even better, tracked down the specifics in the IAAF rules:-

Rule 144: Assitance to Athletes
...
2. Any athlete giving or receiving assistance from within the competition area during an event shall be warned by the Referee and advised that, if there is any repetition, he will be disqualified from that event. if an athlete is subsequently disqualified from the event, any performance accomplished up to that time in the same round of that event shall not be considered valid. However, performances accomplished in a previous round of that event shall be considered valid.
Note: In cases under Rule 144.3(a), disqualification may be made without warning.
3. For the purpose of this Rule, the following examples shall be considered assistance, and are therefore not allowed:
(a) Pacing in races by persons not participating in the same race, by athletes lapped or about to be lapped or by any kind of technical device (other than those permitted under Rule 144.4(d)).
(b) Possession or use of video recorders, radios, CD, radio transmitters, mobile phone or similar devices in the competition area.

I've included item (b) in there too just on the basis that I'm slightly surprised that GPS watches don't fall foul of that rule. I could see a lawyer arguing that they are a "similar device" compared to today's mobile phones for example.

So it seems that the Nike effort will likely be illegal due to pacing and refreshments.
SPR
Mar 2017
8:58pm, 8 Mar 2017
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SPR
Nice one Larkim.

Re shoes, it's a bit grey but they need to be approved by the IAAF.

Athletes may compete barefoot or with footwear on one or both
feet. the purpose of shoes for competition is to give protection and
stability to the feet and a firm grip on the ground. Such shoes,
however, must not be constructed so as to give an athlete any unfair
additional assistance, including by the incorporation of any
technology which will give the wearer any unfair advantage. A shoe
strap over the instep is permitted. All types of competition shoes
must be approved by iAAF.
SPR
Mar 2017
8:59pm, 8 Mar 2017
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SPR
And the key bit is unfair advantage.
Mar 2017
9:07pm, 8 Mar 2017
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postieboy
Unless they put springs in the soles of their shoes and turn them into Zebedee from The Magic Roundabout, what massive technological advances have Nike made or are making to give Kipchoge et al that all important edge? What can you do with a pair of shoes to do that?
Mar 2017
9:22pm, 8 Mar 2017
405 posts
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Oranj
Looks to me like Hoka were ahead of the game
SPR
Mar 2017
10:10pm, 8 Mar 2017
23,601 posts
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SPR
Well they'll be getting the 2+ mins from somewhere...

As I said earlier, there's been talking of a shaped plate which would make the shoe act a bit like blades ala Pistorius (so a spring essentially as energy return while saving calves which usually do the job). The article more or less confirms it. The question is whether it is a significant advantage. Obviously if it gives 2+ mins it is significant.

I'm more inclined to think the pacers are the major advantage though. Radcliffe was 2 mins faster with pacers all the way (obviously we can't be sure whether she'd have run closer than 2 mins without the pacers).

About This Thread

Maintained by SPR
A thread to discuss any interesting stories or developments in elite athletics.

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