Does Track and Field NEED These Changes?
Does Track and Field NEED These Changes?
Specifically:
- Reducing (or removing) the minimum reaction time in sprint events
- Measuring long jump from the place actually jumped
- Measuring pole vault based on height actually achieved rather than bar height
- Javelin use of flags to avoid bothering with measuring obviously-shorter throws than an athlete's best
- A 1-mile steeplechase
- New camera angles/use of drones for footage
Personally I think amending the false start rule is a good idea. It's been known for a while that the .1s reaction time is arbitrary and not based on solid evidence. It should be reduced, but not fully eliminated.
The long jump and pole vault changes are terrible ideas. The strategy of avoiding faults or of not over-exerting yourself is part of the event. Plus, this would create a significant additional barrier to organising events, and would split amateur and professional events down to a fundamental level because you just don't have access to the equipment to adjudicate those rules at an amateur level.
A shorter, faster steeplechase could be cool.
Being creative with the footage is cool I guess. But I'd primarily like to see it used in replays and highlight reels, rather than during the live broadcast, which I'd rather be focused on clearly demonstrating what's going on.