We all respect that rules are here to keep our sport out of anarchy. But, while @runblogrun respects the need for proper officiating, we are concerned about the literal interpretation of our rules this weekend. Obstruction or advantage has always been part of the spirit of the rules. This weekend, while the officials are right on one level, the DQs and protest are putting a bitter taste in the mouths of some athletes, managers and keen observers.
Paul Chelimo, Richard Ringer, photo by PhotoRun.net
Protests (in total 16 dq´s during Friday from different reasons)
Men 400 m: A protest was presented by the Grenada team after Heat 3 of the 400m Round 1 Men, against the disqualification of their athlete Bralon Taplin for running on the line in the curve. The Grenada team claim the athlete was already on a straight line and therefore didn't create an advantage. The Jury of Appeal reviewed the video of the incident and observed that the athlete stepped on the line in the curved part of the track and rejected the appeal.
Men 400 m: A protest was presented by the Costa Rica team after Heat 5 of the 400m Round 1 Men, against the disqualification of their athlete Nery Brenes claiming he was stepping on the line. The Costa Rica team claim their athlete didn't interfere with any other athlete. The Jury of Appeal reviewed the video of the incident and observed that the athlete stepped on the line in the curved part of the track and rejected the appeal.
Men 3000 m: A protest was presented by the German team after Heat 2 of the 3000m Round 1 Men, against the disqualification of their athlete Richard Ringer. The Jury reviewed the video of the incident and in their opinion the German athlete attempted to accelerate and pass the Djibouti athlete on the inside where there was insufficient space. The German athlete consequently pushed the Djibouti athlete in a manner which makes him subject to disqualification according to rule 163.2b. The Jury rejected the appeal.
Women 400 m: Protests were presented by the Swiss and Greek teams after the Semi-Finals of the Women's 400m Semi-Finals, in Heat 1 and 3 respectively. Swiss athlete Lea Sprunger and Greek athlete Maria Belibasaki had both been disqualified under Rule 163.3. The Swiss team claimed Sprunger had only stepped outside her lane in the back straight, and had therefore gained no material advantage. The Greek team did not accept that their athlete had stepped on the line. The Jury of Appeal examined the video evidence and rejected both appeals.
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