Veronica Campbell-Brown won her 200m heat Thursday at the IAAF Track and Field World Championships despite switching lanes during the race.
The Jamaican sprinter, and 2011 world champion, started the fifth heat in lane 5, but veered wide after rounding the curve, crossing the finish line first while in lane 6. Immediately afterwards, Campbell-Brown said she was "having a headache".
British sprinter Margaret Adeoye, who started and finished the race in lane 6, was naturally surprised to see another sprinter ahead of her on the straightaway.
The most amazing thing about the incident is that Campbell-Brown was NOT disqualified, which permits her to advance to the semifinals. According to IAAF rules, Campbell-Brown is allowed to cross lanes “in the straight with no material advantage being gained, and no other athlete being jostled or obstructed so as to impede his or her progress.” That doesn't seem like a good thing during a 200m sprint, as it could potentially cause complete chaos all the racers were switching lanes at the same time.
Adeoye ultimately finished third and also qualified for the semifinals, so fortunately the decision did not negatively affect her.
H/T FTW, The Guardian.
The Jamaican sprinter, and 2011 world champion, started the fifth heat in lane 5, but veered wide after rounding the curve, crossing the finish line first while in lane 6. Immediately afterwards, Campbell-Brown said she was "having a headache".
What's with women's 200m runners changing lanes this season? #VCB #LaneSwitch #Beijing2015 pic.twitter.com/6GxzAEUbqg— Jumping-The-Gun.com (@Jumping_The_Gun) August 26, 2015British sprinter Margaret Adeoye, who started and finished the race in lane 6, was naturally surprised to see another sprinter ahead of her on the straightaway.
The most amazing thing about the incident is that Campbell-Brown was NOT disqualified, which permits her to advance to the semifinals. According to IAAF rules, Campbell-Brown is allowed to cross lanes “in the straight with no material advantage being gained, and no other athlete being jostled or obstructed so as to impede his or her progress.” That doesn't seem like a good thing during a 200m sprint, as it could potentially cause complete chaos all the racers were switching lanes at the same time.
Adeoye ultimately finished third and also qualified for the semifinals, so fortunately the decision did not negatively affect her.
H/T FTW, The Guardian.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
