‘Should be banned’ – Historic athletics field event slammed for ‘weather doping’
A slew of records were broken at a World Athletics event in Oklahoma – and everyone’s pointing fingers at the weather. The Continental Tour Bronze event saw new world records in discus in both the men’s and women’s events, but those results were instantly criticised for being wind assisted. Alekna broke his own world record with the help of the windGetty World Athletics released an image of the new record that will be ratifiedGetty Lithuanian star Mykolas Alekna broke his own world record with a 75.56 metre throw while Australia’s Matthew Denny also surpassed Alenka’s earlier record with a throw of 74.78m. In the women’s event, Valarie Allman set a new US record with a throw of 73.52m which was the longest by any woman in 36 years. Yet there wasn’t too much celebration in the commentary boxes, as Swedish pundit Mats Wennerholm said: “I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. “It just becomes ridiculous in a competition boosted by gale-force winds. Weather doping should be added to the banned list.” Former Norwegian Olympic champion Vebjorn Rodal agreed, saying: “It’s blowing like crazy here. “There’s no doubt this arena is sought out for throwing far. Meanwhike Swedish coach Staffan Jonsson simply stated: “It’s a different sport.” However, World Athletics said throwing events have never been subject to wind assistance restrictions like track events and horizontal jumps are. “It would be impossible to choose a point at which to measure the wind given the width of the throwing area and the vast area [width and height] that throwing implements cover,” a World Athletics spokesperson remarked. “Understanding the wind conditions has always been part of throwing and vertical jump athletes’ calculations. Denny also broke Alekna’s original recordGetty “It should also be noted that wind assistance is far more beneficial for an object that has a large surface, such as a human body, rather than a small and light implement that can be easily diverted. “It is more difficult to quantify the benefit of wind in the same way as in running. “It will be difficult to change the rules now.” Unlike numerous athletic events such as track and jumping disciplines, throwing surprisingly doesn’t have any restrictions on wind assistance. In fact, the Millican Field stadium where the records took place is understood to aid wind assistance, and includes various different throwing circles. Despite the annoyance of many in attendance, World Athletics have confirmed that the new records fall within their regulations and will now be ratified. A spokesperson told ESPN: “It would be impossible to choose a point at which to measure the wind given the width of the throwing area and the vast area that throwing implements cover. “Understanding the wind conditions has always been part of throwing and vertical jump athletes’ calculations. “It should also be noted that wind assistance is far more beneficial for an object that has a large surface, such as a human body, rather than a small and light implement that can be easily diverted.”
A slew of records were broken at a World Athletics event in Oklahoma – and everyone’s pointing fingers at the weather.
The Continental Tour Bronze event saw new world records in discus in both the men’s and women’s events, but those results were instantly criticised for being wind assisted.
Lithuanian star Mykolas Alekna broke his own world record with a 75.56 metre throw while Australia’s Matthew Denny also surpassed Alenka’s earlier record with a throw of 74.78m.
In the women’s event, Valarie Allman set a new US record with a throw of 73.52m which was the longest by any woman in 36 years.
Yet there wasn’t too much celebration in the commentary boxes, as Swedish pundit Mats Wennerholm said: “I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“It just becomes ridiculous in a competition boosted by gale-force winds. Weather doping should be added to the banned list.”
Former Norwegian Olympic champion Vebjorn Rodal agreed, saying: “It’s blowing like crazy here.
“There’s no doubt this arena is sought out for throwing far.
Meanwhike Swedish coach Staffan Jonsson simply stated: “It’s a different sport.”
However, World Athletics said throwing events have never been subject to wind assistance restrictions like track events and horizontal jumps are.
“It would be impossible to choose a point at which to measure the wind given the width of the throwing area and the vast area [width and height] that throwing implements cover,” a World Athletics spokesperson remarked.
“Understanding the wind conditions has always been part of throwing and vertical jump athletes’ calculations.
“It should also be noted that wind assistance is far more beneficial for an object that has a large surface, such as a human body, rather than a small and light implement that can be easily diverted.
“It is more difficult to quantify the benefit of wind in the same way as in running.
“It will be difficult to change the rules now.”
Unlike numerous athletic events such as track and jumping disciplines, throwing surprisingly doesn’t have any restrictions on wind assistance.
In fact, the Millican Field stadium where the records took place is understood to aid wind assistance, and includes various different throwing circles.
Despite the annoyance of many in attendance, World Athletics have confirmed that the new records fall within their regulations and will now be ratified.
A spokesperson told ESPN: “It would be impossible to choose a point at which to measure the wind given the width of the throwing area and the vast area that throwing implements cover.
“Understanding the wind conditions has always been part of throwing and vertical jump athletes’ calculations.
“It should also be noted that wind assistance is far more beneficial for an object that has a large surface, such as a human body, rather than a small and light implement that can be easily diverted.”
