Summer Olympics 2012

Big Ev wrote:you can step on the line in the straight portion. just not allowed on the curve.

GB got DQ'd in the semis for the same thing.

Rule 163.3 wrote:
Lane Infringement
3. (a)In all races run in lanes, each athlete shall keep within his allocated lane from start to finish. This shall also apply to any portion of a race run in lanes.(b)In all races (or any part of races) not run in lanes, an athlete running on a bend, on the outer half of the track as per Rule162.10, or on the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump, shall not step or run on or inside the kerb or line marking the applicable border (the inside of the track, the outer half of the track, or the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump). Except as stated in Rule 163.4, if the Referee is satisfied, on the report of a Judge or Umpire or otherwise, that an athlete has violated this Rule, he shall be disqualified.

4. An athlete shall not be disqualified if he (a)is pushed or forced by another person to step or run outside his lane or on or inside the kerb or line marking the applicable border, or
(b) steps or runs outside his lane in the straight or outside the outer line of his lane on the bend, with no material advantage thereby being gained and no other athlete being jostled or obstructed so as to impede his progress.

Note: Material advantage includes improving his position by any means, including removing himself from a “boxed” position in the race by having stepped or run inside the inside edge of the track.

wprager wrote:

Big Ev wrote:you can step on the line in the straight portion. just not allowed on the curve.

GB got DQ'd in the semis for the same thing.

No, it's not that simple.

Rule 163.3 wrote:
Lane Infringement
3. (a)In all races run in lanes, each athlete shall keep within his allocated lane from start to finish. This shall also apply to any portion of a race run in lanes.(b)In all races (or any part of races) not run in lanes, an athlete running on a bend, on the outer half of the track as per Rule162.10, or on the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump, shall not step or run on or inside the kerb or line marking the applicable border (the inside of the track, the outer half of the track, or the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump). Except as stated in Rule 163.4, if the Referee is satisfied, on the report of a Judge or Umpire or otherwise, that an athlete has violated this Rule, he shall be disqualified.

4. An athlete shall not be disqualified if he (a)is pushed or forced by another person to step or run outside his lane or on or inside the kerb or line marking the applicable border, or
(b) steps or runs outside his lane in the straight or outside the outer line of his lane on the bend, with no material advantage thereby being gained and no other athlete being jostled or obstructed so as to impede his progress.

Note: Material advantage includes improving his position by any means, including removing himself from a “boxed” position in the race by having stepped or run inside the inside edge of the track.

Read the bolded part carefully. Now look at this picture:



I searched for an image and found this one -- I am assuming with all the arrows pointing that this is where it happened. If that's the case, then he is clearly touching the outside line of his lane, and not the inside.

There are two reasons for the lane restrictions:
1. To avoid obstruction, and
2. To avoid obtaining a meaningful advantage.

Clearly he did not interfere with anyone. Just as clearly, he did not gain a meaningful advantage. The intent of the rule was not broken. And if the picture above is the exact spot where the infraction happened, then the letter of the rule was not broken, either.

Someone compared this to a cop handing out tickets to everyone jaywalking. If there are no cars and someone crosses the road, then he is neither putting himself or others at risk, nor interfering with traffic. The intent of the law is not broken and no ticket needs to be issued.

Since when has law become an Olympic event? In the spirit of competition the judge should have used discretion (which is allowed Canadian relay team had the 3rd fastest time. It's not like T&T were a 100th of a second behind.

Big Ev wrote:let's not go all PC now

NEELY wrote:Yah, the joke wasn't funny because it wasn't funny. It's like making fun of a white guy for jumping, it's been done for about 30 years.

tim1_2 wrote:
What the hell was the deal with the opening and closing ceremonies? Other than some good musical acts, they were totally whacky. I guess this is usually the case...from what I remember of Vancouver's ceremonies, they were pretty strange too. I don't really get why countries feel the need to "one up" the previous Olympics when it comes to the opening/closing ceremonies...talk about a giant waste of money.