Rules Broken in Woman's Olympic Marathon Trials

Dude, don't be an idiot.

OUTSIDE people can't pace. Pacing among competitors is a something that happens in every race. Have you ever heard of a rabbit?

And Cragg received her bottles from official fueling stations, not from the side of the road or her grandma.

I'm glad you weren't my coach :)

Bro, if two runners who run for Jerry Schumacher had committed anything even close to a rules violation Salazar would have filed a protest within seconds.

You were a coach and think Shalane and Amy cheated?

You ever watch a marathon before? Just about everyone paces off of someone else. Those big leads packs you see at every single marathon are just that. A bunch of guys pacing off of someone else until someone throws down a surge.

Under your logic everyone in the marathon, except maybe one guy, would be disqualified.

Dude, Alberto and Jerry hate each other so that wouldn't have happened. And rabbits ARE NOT allowed in Olympic trials nor is one runner suppose to give water to another runner whether it came from grandma or their official water stations. Did we watch the same race?

---

Curious fan wrote:

Dude, Alberto and Jerry hate each other so that wouldn't have happened. And rabbits ARE NOT allowed in Olympic trials nor is one runner suppose to give water to another runner whether it came from grandma or their official water stations. Did we watch the same race?

---

Water bottles were also passed among competitors in the men's race. It's not uncommon in marathons. I assume it is not considered assistance because it happens all the time, but maybe people just don't object.

As for "pacing" and "encouraging" nothing happened that broke any rule. You will see NCAA runners running in a pack at almost every cross country meet. You will see runners talking to each other and encouraging each other at almost every longer race. That's not "assistance" that violates any rule.

---

Get real, bro wrote:

Water bottles were also passed among competitors in the men's race. It's not uncommon in marathons. I assume it is not considered assistance because it happens all the time, but maybe people just don't object.

As for "pacing" and "encouraging" nothing happened that broke any rule. You will see NCAA runners running in a pack at almost every cross country meet. You will see runners talking to each other and encouraging each other at almost every longer race. That's not "assistance" that violates any rule.

---

---

Curious fan wrote:

I watched the marathon trials on TV on Saturday with other running friends and thousands of other viewers. I am surprised that no one is talking about the USATF rules that were broken by Amy Craig and Shalane Flannigan. I used to coach and have volunteered at many of these events. I know that the runners are told before the event that they CANNOT have someone pace them and they CANNOT help another runner - can't give them water, can't help them along the course, etc. What did we all see on Saturday? Two runners pacing each other and when one of them started dropping, the other gave her water and tried to help her along. The commentators even talked about what good teammates they were to help each other but that is illegal and grounds for disqualification. I have been a huge fan of Shalane and her talent for years but I also believe that it is all about her and everyone around her is expected to put her first. Do I think that they intentionally cheated? No, I don't, but it doesn't matter, they still broke the rules! If someone would have filed a protest within 30 minutes of the race, those two runners would have been disqualified. Thousands of people watched it happen and race officials would have witnessed it so there should have been no need for a protest. The next three runners in, Desi Linden, Kara Goucher and Kellyn Taylor don't run for Nike. Would it have made a difference if it had been the reverse? If they had paced and helped each other out and Amy and Shalane had been behind them? I believe it would have. I believe there would have been two disqualifications. I am becoming a little disillusioned with USATF and the sport that seems to have rules that only apply to certain runners.

---

If, hypothetically, Jordan Hasay had finished 4th in that race, do you think Salazar would have filed a protest?

---

Curious fan wrote:

nor is one runner suppose to give water to another runner whether it came from grandma or their official water stations

---

This is ridiculous. How dare you say that my awesome marathon PR is invalid just because I ran behind the guy with the 4 hour balloon?

USATF Rules:

---

RULE 144
ASSISTANCE TO ATHLETES
1. Competition under these Rules consists of self-propelled motion without
assistance, except as defined by the Rules of Competition of a specific
event discipline.
NOTE: For rules covering disabled-only competitions see the SPECIAL
SECTION beginning on page 219.
2. Except as provided in road races (Rule 241) and in long distance walking
events (Rule 232), during the progress of an event a competitor who has
received any assistance whatsoever may be disqualified by the Referee.
“Assistance†is the conveying of advice, information or direct help to an
athlete by any means, including a technical device.
3. The following shall be considered assistance:
(a) Pacing in running or walking events by persons not participating in the event,
by competitors lapped or about to be lapped, or by any kind of technical
device other than those permitted under Rule 144.3i.
(b) The visible possession or use by athletes of video, audio, or communications
devices in the competition area. The Games Committee for an LDR event
may allow the use of portable listening devices not capable of receiving
communication; however, those competing in championships for awards,
medals, or prize money may not use such devices.
(c) The use of any technology or appliance that provides the user with an unfair
advantage which would not have been obtainable using equipment
complying with the Rules.
NOTE: Shoes complying with Rule 143 are permitted.
The following shall not be considered assistance:
(d) Verbal or other communication, without the use of any technical device, from an individual who is not in the competition area to an athlete who is in the
competition area. In order to facilitate this communication and not to disturb
the staging of the competition, it is recommended that a place in the stands,
close to the immediate site of each field event, be reserved for the
athletes’ coaches.
(e) Physiotherapy and/or medical treatment necessary to enable an athlete to
participate, or continue participation once in the competition area, may be
provided by members of the official medical staff appointed by the Games
Committee and clearly identified as such. Accredited team medical
personnel approved by the Meet Doctor specifically for this purpose may be
permitted in the medical treatment area outside the competition area. In
neither case shall the intervention delay the conduct of the competition or a
competitor’s trial in the designated order.
(f) Medical personnel authorized by the Games Committee or Referee to do so
may perform a hands-on medical examination during the progress of an
event for any athlete who appears in distress. If in their opinion it is in the
best interest of the athlete’s health and welfare, they may remove the athlete
from the competition.
(g) Any kind of personal safeguard (i.e., bandage, tape, belt, support, etc.) for
medical purposes. The Referee shall have the authority to verify any case
should that be desired.
(h) Pace setting by an officially designated person entered in an event for that
purpose is permitted, provided such pacesetters start in the event.
(i) Carrying orwearing articles of personal equipment such aswrist chronometers
and heart rate monitors, speed distance monitors or stride sensors provided
that such device cannot be used to communicate with any other person.
4. In a track event, any competitor competing to lose or to coach another
competitor shall forfeit the right to be in the competition and shall
be disqualified.
5. In a field event, an athlete may not leave the immediate area of the event and
engage in dialogue with persons outside the area.
NOTE: Athletes competing in an event on the infield may not, during the
competition, cross to the outside of the track.
6. Any athlete giving or receiving assistance during any event other than
permitted in Rule 144.3 must be cautioned by the Referee and warned that
for any repetition, he or she will be disqualified from that event. If such
disqualification occurs, any performance accomplished up to that time in the
same event session shall notbe consideredvalid.Performances accomplished
in any previous event session, such as a qualifying round, shall stand.
NOTE 1: For Youth Athletics exception, see Rule 302.5(k).
NOTE 2: Information conveyed to an athlete by an official is not considered
assistance provided such information is made available to all athletes.
7. Intermediate times and preliminary winning times may be officially announced
and/or displayed. Otherwise such times must not be communicated to the
athletes by persons in the competition area without the prior approval of the
Referee. This permission shall only be given when there are no time displays
visible to athletes at the relevant point and in circumstances where such
times will be provided to all athletes in the race.
8. No attendant or competitor who is not actually taking part in the competition
shall accompany any competitor on the mark or in the competition, nor shall
any competitor be allowed, without the permission of the Referee or Judges,
to receive assistance or refreshment from anyone during the progress of the
competition, except as provided by Rules 144.3(b), 144.9, 232, or 241.
9. During hot weather the meet organizers may furnish competitors with water
and sponging stations in races of 5000 Meters and longer on the track and
in off-track events. See Rules 232 and 241.

---

---

RULE 241
MEDICAL AND REFRESHMENT SERVICES FOR ROAD EVENTS
1. The organizers of road races should provide appropriate medical and
refreshment services for all competitors.
(a) Medical examinations: A hands-on medical examination during the
progress of an event by designated medical personnel clearly identified by
the organizers shall not be considered assistance.
(b) Adequate first aid facilities should be available.
(c) A competitor must retire from a race immediately if directed to do so by a
duly authorized member of the race medical staff. (See Rule 144.9).
2. (a) Drinking/Sponging and Refreshment Stations:
i. Water and, optionally, other suitable refreshments should be provided at
appropriate locations every 5km or more frequently if deemed necessary.
ii. Race management may provide refreshments (other than water) and/or
sponging and/or misting stations
(b) Personal refreshments, which may be provided either by the Organizing
Committee or the athlete, may be made available at the stations designated
by the athlete. They shall be placed so that they are easily accessible to, or
may be put by authorized persons, standing one meter or less from the
table, into the hands of, the athletes. Personal refreshments provided by the
athletes shall be kept under the supervision of officials designated by the
Organizing Committee from the time that the refreshments are lodged by the
athletes or their representatives. In National Championships, the Organizing
Committee shall make provisions for the collection and distribution of
personal refreshments for those competing for the championship, as
determined by the Games Committee.
(c) A competitor who collects refreshment from a place other than a
refreshment station is liable to disqualification by the Referee. An athlete
may carry liquid or solid refreshments on his/her person from the start.

---

---

Curious fan wrote:

Dude, Alberto and Jerry hate each other so that wouldn't have happened. And rabbits ARE NOT allowed in Olympic trials nor is one runner suppose to give water to another runner whether it came from grandma or their official water stations. Did we watch the same race?

---

---

Vilgax wrote:

If, hypothetically, Jordan Hasay had finished 4th in that race, do you think Salazar would have filed a protest?

---

The refreshment rule could be a little clearer, but I think it works. Basically, all refreshments need to originate either from designated refreshment station, which can consist of a table and/or an authorized person (i.e., the officials handing out drinks). As long as your refreshment originated from the refreshment station, you're literally compliant. Obviously a coach grabbing a drink from the station and handing it to an athlete would be prohibited by about three different rules.

The pacing thing is a joke -- only non-participants can be deemed pacers.

Rules were not broken. They explained to rules to us very carefully. We are allowed to pass bottles around to other competitors as long as it was picked up at the aid stations. You are not allowed to receive any fluids from any other place. People were passing around the rags with water as well.

---

Get real, bro wrote:

I think the only arguable thing is receiving a water bottle from a competitor because that might be interpreted as "collecting refreshment from a place other than a refreshment station." But passing bottles is done all of the time so I question whether officials actually understand the rule to work that way.

---

---

coach deez nuts wrote:

Their hatred is exactly why Alberto would have said something IF a rules violation occurred.

---

Wow, curious fan, eh? More like angry butthurt fan. Are you mad bro? Because Shalane is super hot and Cragg devastated the field?

BTW, I love how you tried to hide your anger and jealousy by calling yourself "curious' lol