Whats the deal with the uniform blunder for the marathon trials?
You can only where your track clubs jersey if it has been around for more than 25 years? Does this mean hansons cant wear their brooks/hansons or nike/farm team?
Seems pretty late in the game to be telling clubs and individuals to get new equipment made up.
First I'm hearing about a dress code, please link,thanks
wow, you've got that rule pretty wrong. yes, there is an exemption for certain clubs (along with military, schools, etc.) regarding what the uniform looks like, though your club needs to get that in writing. otherwise, you just follow the guidelines which have been out there for a long time and aren't any different than they usually are.
http://www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicTrials-Marathon-Men/athleteInfo/uniformPolicy.asp
I agree that it is one of the most ridiculous rules in the USATF marathon trials manual, but it should not come as a surprise to any of the competing athletes. The same rules were in effect in 2004, and the rule manual has been available online for quite some time.
However, that does not make it right. I can understand (but do not agree with) restricting sponsor logos that directly conflict with the USATF/USOC sponsors, but why restrict the size of club names? I am proud to run for my club, but our jerseys would not be acceptable for the USATF. We have only been around about 15 years and the text on the front and back is about 5 inches high. The standard is 4cm text on the front or back of the jersey. That is very small, almost too small to be read legibly on race photos.
If there is a compelling reason for this apparel restriction, I would love to hear it. However, I don't think we'll ever hear one from the USATF.
I just now realized that they are IAAF not USATF rules. I would then like to hear the explanation from the IAAF.
Probably not IAAF rules, but IOC rules.
one reason (if not the primary reason) is that, unlike in america where your club is probably "the greater boston track club" or something, in europe and other places they got clever and it became, say, "the nokia track club" with the biggest nokia logo you can imagine. this can become a problem with sponsors, especially if some company like ericsson is the sponsor and they see these huge logos for their primary competitor everywhere.
silly? maybe. but i'm pretty sure every sport, from baseball on down to track, have uniform restrictions.
chuck d wrote:
but i'm pretty sure every sport, from baseball on down to track, have uniform restrictions.
Certainly not pro soccer. You can't even tell the teams, the jerseys don't say "Arsenal" or "Chelsea" but just have the sponsors' name & logo.
no, there are still restrictions. their's are just more liberal in the size. for example, you won't see ads on the back of jerseys in some countries/federations, while they are allowed in others. the sponsor also cannot take up more than a certain percentage of the front of the shirt. so on. same principle as with the iaaf, just with much larger scale.
and each jersey certainly has the logo of each club.
I always thought Track should follow what cycling and Nascar does and open the sponsorship door just a little wider.
Alan
agreed. the size permitted is certainly too small. it's tough, though, to strike the right balance with the need for a number (and the inevitable sponsor) and what's on the athlete's singlet front. we just don't have as much fabric or other space as those sports - especially considering how, unlike in say cycling, the back of a singlet doesn't really get much "viewership."
The uniform rules can be downloaded from the iaaf.org site.
Go to
http://iaaf.org/downloads/IAAFhandbook/index.html
and its the one about advertising regulations.
I remember from the women's trials in St Louis several women who were Brooks runners having to put tape over the Brooks name on their jerseys.
To the best of my knowledge, Brooks hasn't changed the font size on their current jerseys, so those guys will most likely have to tape/cover the name. Honestly, I don't think the Brooks folks even bother to read the IAAF rules on logo sizes.
There is no Nike Farm Team anymore.
USATF = archaic + draconian
This is some what off topic. Can anyone tell me if the same uniform rules are used regarding the uniform for Club XC Nationals.
Thanks
I think it's ANY national championship event.
No, the rules only apply if the event is used as a direct qualifier for an IAAF event (such as the Olympic Trials, World XC Trials, etc.). Since club nationals is a USATF only event, they do not have to follow IAAF rules for uniforms. Even national championships like road races do not have the same rules as they are only used for selection purposes and not direct qualifying.
somewhat in the know wrote:
No, the rules only apply if the event is used as a direct qualifier for an IAAF event (such as the Olympic Trials, World XC Trials, etc.). Since club nationals is a USATF only event, they do not have to follow IAAF rules for uniforms. Even national championships like road races do not have the same rules as they are only used for selection purposes and not direct qualifying.
Sadly, this is only a result of USATF having no balls. there is no way to enforce IAAF rules on uniforms in events that are not part of an IAAF Series, or more specifically a championship under their jurisdiction.
There are advertising limits at events like Millrose, but no uniform rules enforced (like these). This rule is also in direct vilation of the Stevens Act and USOC Bylaws which both prohibit restrictions on qualified athletes being able to compete. Restricting the ability to represent your sponsor &/or club will (in some cases) deny you the ability to train and compete, as money may be withheld for breach of a service contract.
The athletes need to get a court order stopping this crap for a violation of federal law and also for restriction of trade, as no one works for the USOC, they are all independent contractors vying for a prize based upon performance.