The use of Garmin GPS and heart rate, foot pods, Nike and Adidas distance systems etc will all become legal in athletics from 1 November, and will be allowed in the IAU 50km World Cup race on 20 August in Netherlands.
The high technology devices were controversially banned under IAAF rule 144.2 which prevented the use of radios, cassettes, mobile phones and the like including devices that could assist with pacing. This was a very difficult rule to monitor outside the major championships where runners would go through a formal ‘call room’ procedure and their equipment could be inspected. In major city marathons and weekly club races it was difficult to spot those wearing such devices and those not and then of course one has to question the relevance of the rule to those runners out running against themselves rather than going for the spoils and rewards.
This change is highlighted in the table below and has been authorised for introduction in the IAU 50km World Cup in Netherlands on 20 August.
These devices are now so readily available that it would be extremely hard to monitor its use, and there seems reasonable reason for some form of ‘guidance’ or review to be undertaken on the use of MP3 or other music players amongst the mass fields of races. While the benefit of music in improving physical performance has been researched and is accepted, (as is the use of speed / distance information particularly in long events), the restriction on this amongst back runners is something that needs review. The one argument in favour of banning these devices is the potential for blocking out instructions and other noises that could warn the runner of impending danger (cars, bikes etc) However in major events such as city marathons, comrades, Old Mutual Two Oceans and the like the rods are totally closed and so this argument holds less reasoning.
Currently the situation at Provincial and national level in South Africa and indeed around the world is at best confusing,(and so frustrating), so a declaration and or guidance from the mother body would be a very useful addition.
The one restriction on the GPS and Heart rate devices is that they may not communicate with others. This for instance prevents heart rate being sent to a coach and then advice and guidance being sent back to the runner to speed up or slow down based on the physiological monitoring. — But give it time!!
Here is a table identifying the rule change
ANNEX EXCERPT FROM AMENDMENTS TO THE IAAF COMPETITION RULES
ACCEPTED BY IAAF COUNCIL APRIL 2011 TO BE IN FORCE BY NOVEMBER 2011
| IAAF Rule 144.2[a]
|
Assistance to Athletes
Current |
Assistance to Athletes
New |
Reason/Comments |
|
Amend and add new [g] |
2. For the purpose of this Rule the following 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. (b) possession or use of video or cassette recorders, radios, CD, radio transmitters, mobile phone or similar devices in the arena. … The following shall not be considered assistance: (d) Communication between the athletes and their coaches not placed in the competition area. In order to facilitate this communication and not to disturb the staging of the competition, a place in the stands, close to the immediate site of each Field Event, should be reserved to the athletes’ coaches. |
2. For the purpose of this Rule the following 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 144.2(g)) (b) possession or use of video or cassette recorders, radios, CD, radio transmitters, mobile phone or similar devices in the arena. … The following shall not be considered assistance: (d) Communication between the athletes and their coaches not placed in the competition area. In order to facilitate this communication and not to disturb the staging of the competition, a place in the stands, close to the immediate site of each Field Event, should be reserved to the athletes’ coaches. … (g) Devices carried personally by athletes during a race such as heart rate or speed distance monitors or stride sensors provided that such device cannot be used to communicate with any other person. |
To provide for common practice
given that the use of these devices are not considered to provide any unfair advantage and because their use is difficult to detect and police. |