In Major Shift, USATF Says Competitors May Ignore Any Rule They Think Is Stupid
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Background Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
In a decision sure to send shockwaves through the world of competitive running, USA Track & Field today announced that competitors in USATF-sanctioned events may unilaterally ignore any rule that they think is just dumb.
USATF, based in Indianapolis, is the governing body for track and field, long distance running, and race walking in the United States; central to its mission is establishing and enforcing the sport’s rules and regulations.
“Times change, and we must change with them.”
“Times change, and we must change with them,” read a statement on USATF’s website. “Runners today often feel bad when they’re disqualified for breaking the rules of a USATF-sanctioned event, such as a marathon—doubly so if they sincerely believe that the rule they broke is silly, wrongheaded, or just shouldn’t matter.”
“For this reason, we are changing the rules themselves to state that anyone participating in a USATF-sanctioned event who is penalized for breaking a rule may apply to have that penalty reversed if they tell us that the rule they broke is stupid.”
Runners may make their appeal directly to the USATF or the event’s race director, the statement said, or, indirectly, by complaining to the media.
“Whatever is easier for the individual,” the statement continued. “In the end, it’s all about them.”
Reached for comment, a USATF spokesperson told Dumb Runner that the change could theoretically apply to everything from taking a shortcut along the course (“if it’s, you know, a really small one”) and even doping.
“As long as the runner in question truly believes the rule is stupid,” they said. “More than anything else, that’s what matters—not the rule, but how each person feels about the rule.”
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