Summer RIO 2016 - Athletics (Track & Road events) 12th to 20th Aug

[SJ]

This is what annoys me about Bruce, he still fails to acknowledge Miller even though she was leading throughout the race and yes Felix came close to the end.
Though Bruce cannot offer a neutral statement or assessment of the race

I think Miller had it the whole way.

 

[L Dizz]

Ok this is the bloody technical BS they got Kemboi on. They have taken down his time but I reckon he was about 4 or 5 seconds ahead of 4th placed Frenchman Mekhissi. Shades of the yanks protesting about Martina in the 200m in Beijing after their bloke was disqualified and wanted to bump up a couple of yanks into the medals. But look at the rule below which is number up on the IAAF's results page and the picture of what the French complained about. **** me two women fall over and get reinstated for the 5,000m and Kemboi makes one step outside the cone and he gets disqualified.

https://www.iaaf.org/competitions/o...ews/report/men/3000-metres-steeplechase/final
The defending champion, who has won gold or silver at all but one major championship since 2003, slowed almost to a gentle jog from 50 metres out but crossed the line in third place. A protest was presented by the French team, claiming that Kemboi had stepped outside the track on the curve after clearing the water jump.

France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi, silver medallist at the past two Olympics, was then awarded the bronze medal, having crossed the line in 8:11.52.

Before learning of his disqualification, Kemboi declared that this race would be his last. "This is my fourth Olympics and I just want to say that I am retiring from athletics," said the four-time world champion. "Sometimes you just need to make a decision and I have come to the conclusion that today is my last event."
https://www.iaaf.org/competitions/o...ews/report/men/3000-metres-steeplechase/final

This was Kemboi's record before the DQ
3 OG medals (gold 04, gold 12, bronze 16)
7 WC medals (silver 03, silver 05, silver 07, gold 09, gold 11, gold 13, gold 15)
4 CommG medals (silver 02, gold 06, silver 10, bronze 14)
4 AfricanCh/AfroAsianG medals (gold 03, silver 07, silver 10, bronze 14)
1 Af Jnr Ch medal (gold 01)

Given that he is a Kenyan in this event, those regional (CWG, African) championships are pretty much global championships, too. In these 16 seasons, he's come home with a medal from some major championship every year except 2008, when he was 7th at Beijing and he basically team ran to make sure that Kenyans went one two and really was the 4th placed but walked the last 50m. Other than the 7th in Beijing OG, the only other championships in which he did not medal were the AfCh in 02 (4th) and AfCh 06 (DQ).

That is 19 medals in 22 championships: 9 gold; 7 silver; 3 bronze. What a great career and they deny him a fitting way to leave with this shit!

Kemboi was DQd for a violation that occurred on the curve under 163.3(b):

Rule 163.3b. 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 Rule 162.10, or on any curved part of the diversion from the track for the steeplechase waterjump, 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 any curved part of the diversion from the track for the steeplechase waterjump).

This is what Kemboi got DQed for. Unbelievable one step over 3,000m. It happened at 2.24.xx as per the bottom right hand corner of the picture and the race took 8.03.xx

I don't know if you can blame the officials for that. I've definitely seen 200m runners DQ'd for that, but obviously in such a short race you can understand that as it would actually make a difference.

As for in longer races, quite often people step in field early in the race in all the hustle and bustle (I've seen it at these games) and the officials generally do turn a blind eye, because as you say, it doesn't really make any difference. However, if someone actually makes a formal protest, they can't really ignore it, unless they've been pushed, because it is in the rules that you can't run in field.

I reckon it's a case of them ignoring it unless an athlete makes a protest in which they're almost forced to act. Blame the French bloke.

 

[Changaneen]

With Bolt wanting the three three i so badly want him to do it. Two to go. Im not religous or supersticious but i have a gut feel karma is going to bite him on the arse. And it will come in the relay.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

I don't know if you can blame the officials for that. I've definitely seen 200m runners DQ'd for that, but obviously in such a short race you can understand that as it would actually make a difference.

As for in longer races, quite often people step in field early in the race in all the hustle and bustle (I've seen it at these games) and the officials generally do turn a blind eye, because as you say, it doesn't really make any difference. However, if someone actually makes a formal protest, they can't really ignore it, unless they've been pushed, because it is in the rules that you can't run in field.

I reckon it's a case of them ignoring it unless an athlete makes a protest in which they're almost forced to act. Blame the French bloke.

Oh yeah I am more pissed off at Mekhissi for whinging to the officials. The officials have discretion eg the 5,000m women, so why not here, where is the clause about using common sense.

 

[Biggie]

With Bolt wanting the three three i so badly want him to do it. Two to go. Im not religous or supersticious but i have a gut feel karma is going to bite him on the arse. And it will come in the relay.

Karma for what?

 

[The Passenger]

Oh yeah I am more pissed off at Mekhissi for whinging to the officials. The officials have discretion eg the 5,000m women, so why not here, where is the clause about using common sense.

They could probably look at introducing a "minor" indiscretion for things like that. 800m and below, a minor results in a DQ. 1500 to 5000, two minors result in a DQ, above 5000 three minors result in a DQ. Regardless of race distance if it's in the final 2 laps it's an auto DQ.

Incredibly harsh to lose a medal over something like that.

 

[imadodgyumpire]

With Russia being stripped of the 4x100 women's relay. What I didn't know was that they awarded gold to Belgium. So that means Kim Gevaert is an Olympic champ.


Whoo Hoo!

 

[Rob]

They could probably look at introducing a "minor" indiscretion for things like that. 800m and below, a minor results in a DQ. 1500 to 5000, two minors result in a DQ, above 5000 three minors result in a DQ. Regardless of race distance if it's in the final 2 laps it's an auto DQ.

Incredibly harsh to lose a medal over something like that.

As I understood the rule, it's pretty strict unless you can show that it was a result of being pushed out or avoiding a collision. I'm surprised Kemboi didn't argue that given how close the other competitors were to him. He may well of.

 

[The Passenger]

As I understood the rule, it's pretty strict unless you can show that it was a result of being pushed out or avoiding a collision. I'm surprised Kemboi didn't argue that given how close the other competitors were to him. He may well of.

The rules in athletics are definitely strict, so once the protest was placed I don't know if the judges had any choice. You could make a strong argument in loosening the rules for very minor things like that... I guess you then get into the territory of what is deemed "minor" and "major".

 

[Rob]

The rules in athletics are definitely strict, so once the protest was placed I don't know if the judges had any choice. You could make a strong argument in loosening the rules for very minor things like that... I guess you then get into the territory of what is deemed "minor" and "major".

Yeah i've got no problem with the idea of putting the onus back on the athlete if they step out on the bends. The reality is they got an unfair advantage, even if that is only centimetres.

But I just looked the rule up - it says (as an add on to 163.3):

An athlete shall not be disqualified if he:

(a) Is pushed or forced by another person or steps or runs outside his lane or on or inside the curb or line marking the applicable border, or
(b) Steps or runs outside his lane in the straight, any straight part of the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump or outside the outer lane on the bend,
with no material advantage thereby gained and no other athlete being jostled or obstructed so as to impede his progress.

So Kemboi could have argued 2 things - he was forced out by the guy on his right (or possibly the guy in front if he cut across), or he stepped out in the straight part of the diversion for the water jump (which if you look closely, it does appear to be on the straight part). And of course that he didn't gain any advantage. And given he finished well ahead of Mekhissi, you'd think he would be given the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Kram]

I reckon that you would have to be seriously nuts to compete in Triathlon.

 

[catstorm]

I reckon that you would have to be seriously nuts to compete in Triathlon.

Even more so the the iron man triathlons, they make these look easy.

 

[Kram]

Even more so the the iron man triathlons, they make these look easy.

Apparently when you do the change overs it's like such a weird feeling.

edit - commentators talking about it now.

 

[YippeeYiYeo]

damn those Jamaican girls are quick

 

[Kram]

Haha suck it USA.

 

[Flameboy]

Felix clearly impeded by the Brazilian (?) runner, hence the baton drop. Be interesting to see what happens with their appeal.

 

[Crankyhawk]

Brazil women continue the cheating from their soccer team, elbowing the USA in the relay, elbow camped massively in USA lane.

 

[catstorm]

Felix clearly impeded by the Brazilian (?) runner, hence the baton drop. Be interesting to see what happens with their appeal.

Yeah I have no idea, let them run for a time I guess.

 

[Changaneen]

Karma for what?

He put himself in front of the Jesus thing. Arms out as though he is immortal. I hope it doesnt bite him. Before he gets the job done. He needs to get the job done. I want it.

 

[footyfan1978]

Haha suck it USA.

Poor form.
The Nigeria runner had their elbow outside their line that clearly stuffed the Yanks up as they attempted their change over.
Hopefully their protest allows them to still be in the event in some form.
Not sure where they can fit them in another heat but hope it happens for the sake of fairness.

 

[Rob]

It's pretty ordinary form from AA that we don't have a 4 x 100 mens team. It's not because of a lack of talent either, we've got faster 100m runners this time than we did for London. We just never bothered getting them together to try and qualify.

 

[Changaneen]

About 11.00 South Aussie time tomorrow. Im sure 'll be cutting the grass or something.

 

[Kram]

That was a great race.

 

[Changaneen]

Karma for what?

For being a ****? The Olympics have a way of levelling. I want it for him. He thinks he has it.

 

[Flameboy]

Yeah I have no idea, let them run for a time I guess.

Pity it's only an 8 lane track. 9 laner and you could probably just stick them in on the outside lane and it would be problem solved.