the international Association of athletics federations (IAAF) announced the amendments to the rules governing the shoes for competitions. The decision of the organization went due to the possible receipt by athletes of “technical doping”.
the debate on this topic arose at the end of last year, when Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge first in the world to run the London marathon length of 42.2 kilometres in less than two hours. Then Kipchoge ran in sneakers Nike Vaporfly Alphas, which are designed specifically for the athlete and not available for purchase by ordinary people.
Officials from the International athletics Federation will decide whether the dope sneakers? The choice is largely crucial, as it can affect the results of the Olympic games. As it turned out, the shoes help athletes run faster.
And it’s not allegations, and statistics. British newspaper the Guardian published a selection from the experts over the last year. Runners in high-tech sneakers took 31 of the 36 seats on the podium in six major world marathons. Moreover, the last two records were done in this Shoe.
Naturally, after the tremendous success many have doubts about how honest it is possible to consider this advantage. In the end, experts from the Federation a few months apart sneakers into components, to understand how new technologies affect victory. The conclusion of the experts: sneakers do give a certain advantage to an athlete, that is, acts as a drug.
“it is Impossible to deny the improvement of technology. In the “Formula-1″ the Pirelli produces tyres for all cars, but Mercedes is the best. Why? It is the engine. This man – said Kipchoge. – So those who are opposed to shoes, should understand that runs man, not the shoes. This is the man behind the wheel, not the one who makes the tires.”
In the end, World Athletics has made the following rules to get outsideSTI clarity for athletes and Shoe manufacturers.
From April 30, 2020, the shoes should be available for purchase to any athlete in retail not less than four months. If the shoes are not publicly available, it will be considered a prototype, its use in competition is prohibited. Sole shall be no thicker than 40 mm.
Shoes should not contain more than one built-in hard plates of any material, which runs the entire length of the Shoe. The plate may consist of more than one part, but these parts should be placed consistently in the same plane (not on top of each other or in parallel) and must not overlap. For shoes with spikes allowed additional plate or other mechanism, but only for the purpose of attaching the spikes to the sole, the sole should be of a thickness not exceeding 30 mm.