Fentrekker wrote:
Precisely. She actually slowed down dealing with the mishap, so no advantage was gained--the reverse in fact. Do we really need to be looking for more scandals in this beleaguered sport?
I can see that we need to keep hammering this one home until the whole running community understands that under USATF rules, you can not take even one step inside the rail on the turn without being pushed.
USATF Rules 2015 Page 63 Rule 163 Section 5
Each competitor must keep in the lanes outside the line or curb marking the inside of the track, including the curved part of the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump. In races run entirely in lanes, each competitor must keep in the allotted lane from start to finish. In races run partially in lanes, each competitor must keep in the allotted lane from the start to the marked cut-in points. Unless a material advantage has been gained or the athlete is in violation of Rule 163.4, a competitor shall not be disqualified if he or she:
(a) Is pushed or forced by another competitor to step out of the lane, or
(b) Steps out of the lane on the straightaway, or
(c) Steps or runs outside of the outer lane line on the curve, or on any straight part of the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump
.
Excluding the above exceptions, the Referee shall disqualify a competitor if an Umpire reports that the competitor has stepped out of the lane.
NOTE: Material advantage includes improving position by any means, including exiting from a 'boxed' position in the race by having stepped or run inside the inside edge of the track.
The only parts of this rule that apply to Coburn are in bold. She stepped inside the inner rail on a turn, and if a referee would have have reported it, she should have been disqualified.
The "material advantage" clause only applies to cases (a) (b) and (c) where being pushed, running inside on a straight, or running outside the outside bound don't grant a runner material advantage, then the runner might not get disqualified.
Coburn should have been DQ'd. That's what both the rule book and common sense says should have happened.
The problem we have is that referees are refusing to enforce obvious violations of the rules.
I have been thinking about this. The misuse of the "material advantage" clause to justify breaking the rules is exactly the way the use of various Constitutional clauses like "general welfare" and "necessary and proper" are used to justify abuses of Federal power. You pull some words from one part of the rule book and apply them in a way that nullifies the original intent of the rule to ensure you get the outcome you want.
Maybe I'm wrong on this. I'm part of the old guard of Americans who believe in following rules and all those other antiquated notions. The USATF rule book was written by old white guys right? Why should any of you young guys be constrained by their narrow minded rules. If someone stumbles through the infield flailing their arms around wildly and then claims cutting a few yards off the race didn't give them any advantage, then their feelings and the fans feelings should matter more than crusty old rules.
I am evolving on this issue. Please give me room to grow.