Press Release - USATF - 12/23/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                      USATF Amends Headphone Rule 

INDIANAPOLIS - USA Track & Field has amended Rule 144.3, which pertains to 
the use of headphones and other electronic devices, to enable race 
directors to choose to allow the use of headphones by runners in 
non-championship races.
 
Approved at USATF's 2008 Annual Meeting held earlier this month in Reno, 
the rule now reads: 
"The following shall be considered assistance and therefore not allowed:
 
"(f) The visible possession or use by athletes of video, audio, or 
communications devices in the competition area. The Games Committee for an 
LDR event may allow the use of portable listening devices not capable of 
receiving communication; however, those competing in Championships for 
awards, medals, or prize money may not use such devices."
 
The rule previously had banned the use of headphones by all runners. While 
headphones remain banned for any athlete competing in a USA Championship, 
they may be allowed by race directors in other circumstances, at the 
discretion of each race director.

Enforcement of the previous ban was in the hands of race directors, with 
some enforcing the ban, some simply urging runners not to use headphones 
and others not enforcing it. Rooted in a concern for athlete and volunteer 
safety, the rule had drawn passionate feedback from all sides, including 
from runners who hated the rule and runners who loved it; from volunteers 
who had seen the logistical difficulties of having participants wearing 
headphones; and from race directors who supported it and others who had had 
encountered logistical difficulties enforcing it.
 
"The difficulty in enforcement was part of the reasoning," USATF Rules 
Committee chair John Blackburn said. "However, several good-sized races 
have demonstrated that they were able to enforce the rule. There were 
strong opinions on all sides of this discussion, both understanding the 
issues related to athlete safety, race organization, difficulty of 
enforcement.  This resolution appeared to be the best position for USATF 
overall." 

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