Rules Broken in Woman's Olympic Marathon Trials

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.

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.