24.20 - In the Medley Relay, the athletes running the final leg and in the 4 × 400m race, the athletes running the third and fourth legs (or under Rule 24.15.2 of the Technical Rules, also the second leg) shall, under the direction of a designated official, place themselves in their waiting position the same order (inside to out) as the order of their respective team members as they enter the bend. Once the incoming athletes have passed this point, the waiting athletes shall maintain their order, and shall not exchange positions at the beginning of the takeover zone. If an athlete does not follow this Rule, their team shall be disqualified.
24.21 - In any race, when lanes are not being used, including when applicable, in 4 × 200m, the Medley Relay and 4 × 400m, waiting athletes can take an inner position on the track as incoming team members approach, provided they do not jostle or obstruct another athlete so as to impede their progress. In 4 × 200m, the Medley Relay and 4 × 400m, waiting athletes shall maintain the order in accordance with Rule 24.20 of the Technical Rules. If an athlete does not follow this Rule, their team shall be disqualified.
i am curious if the rules really are different or if they are just overlooked. I coach my kids to hold their position based on where the incoming runners are coming around the bend, but I have never been aware of any rule for it. Just this week, they made the mistake of changing positions with maybe 20 meters or less remaining. It was ugly, but there was no call. Just something to be used as a learning experience.
The incoming runner will hand off to the outgoing runner in the common exchange zone (Green triangles in a row to Green triangles in a row). The lane of exchange will be determined by the incoming runners position with the other runners as they come out of the final turn. The incoming runner will need to run to their teammate.
it does appear to be the same, though no strong language about DQ
The one guarantee was that if any team didn't know the rules in a relay it would be the United States
Yep. It seems like a strange rule, but it's also true that every nation in the competition except the United States know it existed. Well, you had to figure that if one country's relay team was not to do its homework, it would be ours.
So looks like there is still a slight difference, with NFHS determining position as they come out of the final turn, while WA is as they enter the bend
So looks like there is still a slight difference, with NFHS determining position as they come out of the final turn, while WA is as they enter the bend
OKay, so should we interpret this as the WA rule is maintain the position that runners have from 200 meters out? that's a bit excessive.
So looks like there is still a slight difference, with NFHS determining position as they come out of the final turn, while WA is as they enter the bend
OKay, so should we interpret this as the WA rule is maintain the position that runners have from 200 meters out? that's a bit excessive.
Yes, the WA rules seem to require that the designated official at the start/finish line can somehow have an unimpeded view of the 200m area entering the bend and line the runners up in order. An order that can completely change by the time the incoming runner hits the exchange zone. For an example of exchange chaos see the high school finals and Bullis at the Penn Relays.
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