Perhaps the International Association of Athletics Federation shouldn’t have changed the false-start rule to disqualify an athlete after one infraction, something that proved costly for Usain Bolt in the 100 meter finals at the world championships in Korea. The victim and the stage Sunday couldn’t have been bigger, but the rule wasn’t changed last week; it has been in place since the start of 2010.
International swimming adopted a no false-start rule ahead of the 2000 Olympics. Alas, during the 2004 Australian championships, world record-holder Ian Thorpe was disqualified from the 400 meters. Teammate Craig Stevens eventually relinquished his place in the race at the Athens Olympics for Thorpe, who won the gold. But the rule didn’t change — and now it’s no big deal.
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Despite the likely outcry, the IAAF should keep that in mind. No matter when a false start happens or who it happens to, it can be prevented — by the athlete. And anger toward the rule itself, well, it’s jumping the gun.
– Craig Stouffer
