2 replies to this topic

[walker1st]

some novelty rules being tested this weekend in europe.
the european cup of national team, used to in 2 sections : mens team and womens team independently, this year it is 1 team.
at various divisions level this weekend it is about moving up or falling down the division, keeping the division etc.

what is new :

1. sprints and middle distance - teh rule of zero false start tolerance - this is not quite new stuff...

2. long distance (3000, 3000 steaple, 5000), in each race there are 3 laps nominated, where the last runner would be pulled off teh track and made DNF, so no points for team. This could make for interesting strategies, lap sprints, or extremely fast pace from gun. Czech do not have decent runners for thid distances so they put in the 1500 specialist with the idea to run hard from gun and save the pants, let other teams to be eliminated and loose points (formerly the places 6-7-8 were getting teh points) and than somehow jogg it to the finish line on 5th spot - however more teams could have same strategy ?

3. high jumps, pole vaults, maximum 4 invalid attempts allowed during whole comp, so intersting strategies for using up repairs, choosing teh starting hight etc

4. long jumps, tripplejumps, and all 4 throws - every athlete guaranteed only 2 attempts,
than top 6 guaranteed another 2 attempts, and than top 4 guaranteed another 2 attempts.

while rules 3+4 could mean speeding up the meets, it is also advantage for consistent athletes,
who have stable perfect technique and do not waste attempts, so it is more about high quality consistency, than on gambling 1 of 6 attempts could make it big russian roulette.

lets see what happens.

[TrackRunner]

Was the old system broken, i mean its been around a long time ? but i guess they are at least trying to speed the game up a bit, it worked for cricket

[walker1st]

sorry I forgot to write up the follow up.

reading commentary from few european countruies, media, coaches, officials and athletes,
the conclusion was clear : it was complete failure, stupidity and made mockery out of T&F.

the only rule which everybody wellcommed , was zero tolerance for false starts - sprints.

It needs to be said that the whole experiment was creation by the official of european athletic association, so was not by IAAF.

the zero tolerance false start is however considered seriously by IAAF and likely will become new
rule everywhere, so this european experiment just confirmed it.

everything else did basicaly destroyd the performances.

the jumpers and throwers with limites number of attempts were under stress of not making it up and were only jumping and throwing the safe - secure the advance stuff, and performances were all much worse that their respective season bests.

high jumps with limit of 3 unsuccesfuull attempts overall, actually prevented Vlasic from jumping for new WR !!!

and the distance running become sprinting for safety, every country put in middle distance second grade runners - to get through the sprinting elimination laps, and after that it was jogging till finish.

It was not atractive to spectators or to media.

Big failure.