rojo wrote:
IAAF rule book says:IAAF Rule 163. 2.b. If an athlete is jostled or obstructed during an event so as to impede his progress, then if another athlete is found by the Referee to be responsible for the jostling or obstruction, such athlete (or his team) shall be liable to disqualification from that event.
I was about to quote the same rule. As an official who has worked as an umpire for national meets, I would have raised my yellow flag. Now, that does not mean a DQ will occur; it is up to the referee. But to me it is pretty clear that Muir was obstructed.
Remember, personal feeling regarding a rule do not apply; only the rule as it is written in black and white matters. I hate having to DQ a young high school athlete for a uniform violation. I hate the uniform rules but it is my responsibility to enforce them and be impartial.
It seems reminiscent of the 2005 NCAA Indoor meet when Arkansas was DQed in the DMR allowing Michigan to win. I believe the video was posted here years ago but there is no way I could find the post now. Seems like we had the same discussion then as we are having now.