Understanding IAAF's 'One And Done' False-Start Rule

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What are your thoughts on the 'One and Done' False-Start Rule and will Usain Bolt bounce bank from the disqualification?

After Sunday’s shocking disqualification of Usain Bolt in the 100 meter final, questions about the IAAF’s (International Association of Athletics Federation) “one and done” false-start rule have been coursing throughout Track and Field communities. Unlike the Olympics – where an athlete is warned after the first false-start and only disqualified if he or she should false-start a second time – in IAAF competitions, a single false-start spells immediate removal from the race. The IAAF does allow athletes to protest a disqualification should a false-start be caused by anything beyond an athlete’s control – like the flash of a camera or a yelling fan, but rarely do protests result in an overturned ruling. Intending to preserve the integrity of the sport, the “one and done” false-start policy is designed to deter athletes from attempting to time the start of the race to gain an advantage – quite literally jumping the gun. The dangerous yet indiscriminately fair nature of this rule, as seen Sunday night, is that no athlete is exempt, and even the world’s fastest man can lose a race in a single fraction of a second’s misstep.   The good news, however, is that a disqualification in one race does not impact an athlete’s eligibility to compete in other events. For Bolt, this means there’s still a chance of redemption in either the 4x1 relay (September 4th) or the 200 meter dash final (September 3rd). For fans and spectators, this means two more opportunities to potentially see world records fall.  

What are your thoughts on the IAAF’s “one and done” rule? What effect do you think the disqualification will have on the rest of the world championships, and do you think Bolt will bounce back? Please share your thoughts in our running communities on Facebook and Twitter or post your comments in the box below.

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brent lewis

From trinidad
One and done? Nothing wrong with this rule. All the track athletes are aware of the rule, and have been for some time. It's a shame who it happened to, and when, then again, everything happens for a reason, no? Nothing like a little humbling for an athlete who seems to have forgotten his humble beginnings. Ask Usain if he sees Lionel Messi posing for the camera before or after a game. Or Sachin Tendulkar. I would hope Usain has learnt from this, and when he goes out to run the 200, he focuses on one thing, and ONE thing only, the race/business at hand, wins his heat, his semi, and then smashes the world record in the final, ALL in a business like manner. Usain is by far the best 100/200 runner in the world, then again Lionel Messi is by far the best footballer in the world, but what a difference in character before and after they perform.
Aug 30 2011

brent lewis

From trinidad
One more thing. Please share this with Usain, I would be interested to hear his thoughts. Thanks in advance.
Aug 30 2011

giz

From Canada
Not to start a flame war, but how did that 1/4 final vs Germany work out for Lionel Messi? Look - every athlete is an individual, and every individual is individual. Whomever taught you that everyone should fall in line, everyone should conform and everyone should act 'all business' needs to go back to school. The key to bringing out the *best* in anyone, is understanding who that person is, not trying to change them into someone else.. ZEN. Ask the great basketball coach Phil Jackson. Usain: Keep on Keeping on! As for the rule - This is a *relatively* new rule... I remember when each individual had one false then a dq, then the change to a single false against the field then dq's... Some think that this rule is in place for Television... Some think that this rule is in place because some were trying to psyche out (gain a psychological advantage over) their opponents, but either way it's a tough sell... Since it applies to each athlete it is fair, however it's disappointing to the fans to not see a finalist compete, because let's face it, any of the eight finalists have worked hard to get to the final stage, and deserve the right to run their. Maybe having the one against the field rule ONLY in the finals would work?
Sep 3 2011

giz

From Canada
Not to start a flame war, but how did that 1/4 final vs Germany work out for Lionel Messi? Look - every athlete is an individual, and every individual is individual. Whomever taught you that everyone should fall in line, everyone should conform and everyone should act 'all business' needs to go back to school. The key to bringing out the *best* in anyone, is understanding who that person is, not trying to change them into someone else.. ZEN. Ask the great basketball coach Phil Jackson. Usain: Keep on Keeping on! As for the rule - This is a *relatively* new rule... I remember when each individual had one false then a dq, then the change to a single false against the field then dq's... Some think that this rule is in place for Television... Some think that this rule is in place because some were trying to psyche out (gain a psychological advantage over) their opponents, but either way it's a tough sell... Since it applies to each athlete it is fair, however it's disappointing to the fans to not see a finalist compete, because let's face it, any of the eight finalists have worked hard to get to the final stage, and deserve the right to run their. Maybe having the one against the field rule ONLY in the finals would work?
Sep 3 2011

giz

From Canada
Not to start a flame war, but how did that 1/4 final vs Germany work out for Lionel Messi? Look - every athlete is an individual, and every individual is individual. Whomever taught you that everyone should fall in line, everyone should conform and everyone should act 'all business' needs to go back to school. The key to bringing out the *best* in anyone, is understanding who that person is, not trying to change them into someone else.. ZEN. Ask the great basketball coach Phil Jackson. Usain: Keep on Keeping on! As for the rule - This is a *relatively* new rule... I remember when each individual had one false then a dq, then the change to a single false against the field then dq's... Some think that this rule is in place for Television... Some think that this rule is in place because some were trying to psyche out (gain a psychological advantage over) their opponents, but either way it's a tough sell... Since it applies to each athlete it is fair, however it's disappointing to the fans to not see a finalist compete, because let's face it, any of the eight finalists have worked hard to get to the final stage, and deserve the right to run their. Maybe having the one against the field rule ONLY in the finals would work?
Sep 3 2011

giz

From Canada
Not to start a flame war, but how did that 1/4 final vs Germany work out for Lionel Messi? Look - every athlete is an individual, and every individual is individual. Whomever taught you that everyone should fall in line, everyone should conform and everyone should act 'all business' needs to go back to school. The WORLD and SPORTS HISTORY are VERY FORTUNATE that Bolt did not run into some coach who would have "weeded" Bolt out for his behaviour, because I'm sure there are some great athletes and entertainers around who have been. ** The key to bringing out the *best* in anyone, is understanding who that person is and working on developing their strengths, not trying to change them into someone else.. ZEN. Ask the great basketball coach Phil Jackson. ** Bolt is not cheating, he's not shaming anyone. Usain: Keep on Keeping on - great 200M VICTORY today! As for the rule - This is a *relatively* new rule... I remember when each individual had one false then a dq, then the change to a single false against the field then dq's... Some think that this rule is in place for Television... Some think that this rule is in place because some were trying to psyche out (gain a psychological advantage over) their opponents, but either way it's a tough sell... Since it applies to each athlete it is fair, however it's disappointing to the fans to not see a finalist compete, because let's face it, any of the eight finalists have worked hard to get to the final stage, and deserve the right to run their. Maybe having the one against the field rule ONLY in the finals would work?
Sep 3 2011

Deeg

From New York
The rule is harsh. No one can have a false start and win the race because the runners are called back. There is no advantage to be gained because the race must begin again. One and done is too much pressure. The previous rule is much better.
Sep 4 2011

Biana

From Wham bam thank you, ma'am, my questnios are answered!
Wham bam thank you, ma'am, my questnios are answered!
Sep 22 2011

Azia

From Enlgihtneing the world, one helpful article at a time.
Enlgihtneing the world, one helpful article at a time.
Dec 13 2011