Trayvon Bromell DQd for false start in Birmingham- should they have just let him run?

Honestly, I think many knowledgeable people do not agree that the one and done rule has had an overall positive effect. If I recall Ato Boldon has been a critic. I always thought the middle way of charging the field for one was best in any given race. You can penalize habitual abusers by tracking false starts across competitions or races, and dqing a runner after a certain number. For example, maybe you allow any given runner 2 across a single DL event in a season with an automatic dq on the 3rd, or only 1 false start during a three heat comp like the Olympics and WCs. Like tracking technical fouls during the playoffs in the NBA. If your a fan of the sport, it’s best if Brommell runs. Why wouldn’t you set the rules up to maximize the chances? It’s fair and applies to all of the athletes if done right.

One and done started in 2010. No real evidence it is better for the sport. If T&F athletes had collective bargaining power, I think this is a rule most of the athletes would push to have changed.

It's wrong to bring forth the assumption that those who support one and done aren't fans.

I like truly fair competition...without using the start to game the field by unnerving other competitors or getting extra time to feel more ready.

Without the gamesmanship, the rule may not have gone to one and done.

Plus, it's presumptuous to assume that other nations would want to see Bromell compete after a false start.

Why do you people consider false starting to be cheating? There is literally no way to cheat - you either start >0.1s after the gun goes off or else the electronics detects an earlier start down to the thousandth of a second. I imagine it is just nerves 99% of the time? If someone is trying to gamble precisely when that 0.1s timepoint will occur, then they are stupid since such precision is not within our capabilities and will fail virtually every time (see first point).

I’m not sure why you are focused on Brommell? If the rules were changed everybody would be treated equally, plus Brommell himself has a great start and rarely false starts, so one and done is likely in his best interest. Also, “gaming” the race by purposely false starting could be greatly curtailed by instituting rules like the ones I reference above. Anyway, I think it’s highly debatable that one and done is better for competition. I’d certainly like to see a poll of fans, athletes and coaches. You may like it, but I think it’s too draconian and does more harm than good.

My focus on Bromell is chiefly, if not exclusively, because this thread is treating Trayvon Bromell as if a rule change is needed because he was wronged especially since this push for a slippery slope did not exist in this quantity of vehemence for any other athlete.

To keep the integrity of a sport, the core standards have to be draconian. In baseball, a balk is a balk. In football, if you are drawn offsides, you go back 5 yards anyway. Helmet to helmet contact is automatically an ejection. Move the golf ball or don't sign your card? You're disqualified.

Hit a tennis ball at or threaten a chair umpire? DQ from tournament.

throw a Surya Bonaly backflip during competition? DQ.

These aren't kids. They were blessed with the talent, drive and proper coaching to be elite.

These are already exceptions enough where they don't need a coddling rule change...not at this level.

Stoppit Smith? Such a bad take.

Why?

Because you always choose the extreme, you like the draconian.

Bromell’s dq was not the only one in that race and in both cases the race was poorer for the absence of the athletes. Yes, the rules must be followed, but the rules can be changed, just as this rule was changed in 2010. I’m just saying I don’t think this is a good rule. You do. Comparing this rule to threatening an ump or helmet to helmet contact seems silly. I’d like to see a poll of athletes and coaches. Let’s start with an LRC poll.

Sports need clear boundaries and guidelines and yes I like draconian. I'm a good follower.

But I digress...

so Bromell gets to run and magically comes up with a dream time...say...9.57.

Now we have a problem...

pay him DL WR money?

ratify the record?

DQ him and the WR?

pay him zero anyway?

what do you do? He was legitimately disqualified

Sure, he was legitimately disqualified. And he can't reasonably be reinstated for the meet. But the rule is bad. Change the rule. I thought the rule was bad when it was first instituted - in 2010 according to Wise Old Man. Forget Brommell, Usain MF Bolt was DQ'd from the World Championships in 2011. They should have reconsidered reverting to the old rule after that. No, I'm not saying put Bolt back in during the meet, change the rules so it doesn't happen like that again.

So you just want a kangaroo court of your own peers to convince you that you are right.

You haven't even thought of the fact that if an athlete like Bromell is likely going to beat the field, someone will try to game him even with your system.

What I don't appreciate for real is how your assumption is that I was not an athlete...not necessarily a track athlete...but not an athlete at all.

You've de facto decided that your age and colleagues qualify you to automatically be correct.

Your study group is letsrun.

Your control group is athletes and coaches outside the United States and outside of your circle of friends or your running club.

My comparisons are absolutes to absolutes.

So far, you've done nothing to convey WHY there should be a change other than it fits YOUR interests. Acting like the E Pluribus Unum of this very module.

Rules that stop gamesmanship are rarely bad.

Rules that stop gamesmanship are creating because of the misuse of existing rules.

Ask Kitajima and Peirsol about illegal dolphin kicks.

IAAF/WA was and still is dumb. One year after instituting the current false start rule, they DQ the face of the sport at the event of the year. And they keep the rule, covering their eyes, plugging their ears.

I worry about you at times. So often you make nonsensical posts, but the sad thing is you think they have merit.

What is it with you and no one obeying rules? The false start rule exists. Other athletes can adhere to them. You do or you are out. Move on.

I think they certainly should have let him run. Like they let Omanyala run at Kip Keino. Rules are like toilet paper. You can put them between your cheeks.

You're all missing the key point of DL.....income.

allowing any false starter to run anyway can change strategy..even in the 100.

If one runner goes out in 5.1, 4.84, and the DQed runner rips a 4.95 for the first 50, then it could alter his result to the field and the money, caused by someone who was DQed.

no track athlete should suffer an income issue due to a DQed athlete racing in the race.

I agree that for championships, the false start rule makes sense. I'm old enough to remember the days when everyone got one false start and it was annoying as hell. But for a regular meet with 9 lanes and no qualification? Just take away the prize money and nothing is lost