IAAF Adopts “No False Start” Rule for 2010

 BERLIN – The IAAF Congress on Wednesday approved a new rule that
will disqualify athletes the first time they false start in any given
race. The rule will take effect January 1, 2010.
 
The rule will
replace the current false-start policy of the first false-start being
charged to the entire field, with only subsequent false-starts
resulting in disqualification. Implementation is set for 2010 in order
to enable athletes to become accustomed to the rule well ahead of the
2011 IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
 
Speaking
in support of the rule change, IAAF President Lamine Diack pointed to
the NCAA’s longstanding no false start rule as evidence that such a
rule is practical and enforceable. He stated his belief that “the
current rule gives sprinters the chance to play the system,” he said,
“to deliberately false start but not be punished for it.” 
 
The
rule change was approved by a vote of 97 to 55, with six abstentions.
The IAAF Congress on Wednesday also approved defining masters as age 40
and over for long-distance running and road racing.
 
The IAAF
Congress is being held in Berlin prior to the start of the 12th IAAF
World Outdoor Championships, which begin Saturday and conclude August
23.
 
For more information on the World Championships, visit www.usatf.org