World Athletics issues list of approved shoes for competition
In a follow-up to the January ruling that new shoes had to be preapproved for international competitions, World Athletics has published an official list of approved competition shoes. Unsurprisingly, the Nike Vaporfly did not make the list.
The international athletics governing athletics made the ruling in January following controversy over technology in the Vaporfly, thought to give runners an unfair advantage during races. Worn by Kenya's Brigid Kosgei when she set the record for the fastest marathon time for a woman, the shoes incorporate carbon-fibre plates that help to propel runners forward.
Under Rule 5 of the Technical Rules, the organisation said, athletes or their representative must provide World Athletics with specifications of any new shoe the athlete intends to wear in competition. “If there is doubt about a shoe, athletes, officials and meeting organisers should first refer to the approved list,” according to World Athletics.
While the list does not contain every shoe ever worn by athletes in the past, it does include some older models of shoes that manufacturers submitted for assessment. Older shoes not on the list must still comply with the rule in the future, the organisation said. Athletes or their representatives must ensure older shoes comply with the rules regarding maximum sole thicknesses and any inserted plate or blade.
“Transitioning rules is never easy but is significantly harder with the current pandemic and the challenges we all face in staging, competing and providing kit and equipment during this time.,” said World Athletics CEO, Jon Ridgeon.
“We will continue to communicate, clarify and explain the rules and would like to thank our athletes, Member Federations, meeting organisers, shoe companies and technical officials for working with us to ensure the rules are understood and adhered to and, when this is not possible, that we resolve issues quickly, consistently and compassionately within the framework of the rules.”
Image: The Nike Vaporfly, which is thought to have prompted a new ruling from World Athletics.
