FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Amendment to development shoe rules in international competitions
World Athletics has approved a change to its rules governing development
(prototype) shoes following requests by all major shoe manufacturers and
the industry body that represents them, the World Federation of the Sports
Goods Industry ('WFSGI').
The amendment to the rule will allow development shoes to be worn in
international competitions and competitions sanctioned by Member
Federations where World Athletics rules are applied, prior to their
availability to other athletes, upon approval of the shoe specifications by
World Athletics. These shoes will have to meet the same technical
specifications as all other approved shoes.
Development shoes can continue to be worn in any competition where World
Athletics' competition and technical rules are not applied.
The amendment, approved by World Athletics' Council on 4 December, applies
with immediate effect, to competitions sanctioned by World Athletics, Area
Associations or Member Federations at which World Athletics' Competition
Rules and Technical Rules are enforced, but will not be permitted to be
worn at the World Athletics Series or the Olympic Games.
The development shoe can only be worn for a 12 month 'development' period.
A list of approved development shoes will be posted on the World Athletics
website stating the date from which the development shoe can be worn and
the expiry date for approval. To date there is a list of 200 (spikes and
non-spikes) approved shoes listed and published on the World Athletics
website.
This new proposal will be complemented by an athletic shoe availability
scheme for shoes which is being developed by a Working Group on Athletic
Shoes with representatives from shoe manufacturers and the World Federation
of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI).
World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon said: "The use of competition to complete
the final testing of development shoes by manufacturers has always been an
important part of the shoe development process. This year has been a
difficult one for both shoe manufacturers and athletes with significant
disruption to manufacturing and reduced access to competitions for athletes
around the world.
"With shoe manufacturers agreeing to our new process of submitting
specifications and shoes, if required, for approval ahead of being worn in
competition, we are confident that this amendment will not impact the
integrity of competition."
Summary of notes relating to the new rule:
"Development shoe" means a shoe (i.e. spike or road shoes) which has never
been available for purchase but which a sports manufacturer is developing
to bring to market and would like to conduct tests with their sponsored
athletes (who agree to test the shoe) on issues such as safety and
performance before the shoe is available for purchase.
Development shoes are not required to be made available for purchase or
subject to the availability scheme provided that, prior to being worn for
the first time, the development shoe meets the following conditions:
- the athlete (or their representative) must submit the specification to
World Athletics and, where requested, provide a sample of the development
shoe for further examination which includes, if necessary, cutting up the
shoe, and provide the date and event of the first competition at which the
athlete wishes to compete in a development shoe
- confirm the latest date upon which the sports manufacturer will make the
final version of the development shoe available for purchase which must be
not be later than 12 months after the first time the development shoe is
worn in a competition.
- the athlete (or their representative) submits to World Athletics a list
containing the date and event of the first and all subsequent competitions
at which the athlete proposes to wear a development shoe within the 12
month period. The athlete (or their representative) must notify World
Athletics of any changes to that list.
- the athlete (or their representative) has received prior written approval
from World Athletics that the development shoe complies with the
requirements of Rule 5 of the Technical Rules and is approved for use in
competitions.
- Subject to compliance with all rules and regulations (including this Rule
5 of the Technical Rules and these notes), performances achieved by an
athlete wearing a development shoe will be valid. After the conclusion of a
competition a development shoe must be handed over by the athlete on
request by World Athletics for further investigation by World Athletics
which includes, if necessary, cutting up the development shoe.
- World Athletics will publish from time to time on its website a list of
approved development shoes stating the date starting from which the
development shoe can be worn and the expiry date for approval. No technical
or proprietary information belonging to a sports manufacturer will be
published.
- After the expiry date specified the shoe no longer qualifies as a
development shoe and can no longer be used in competitions. The shoe will
be removed from the approved list after its expiry date and, subject to
compliance with all rules and regulations (including this Rule 5 of the
Technical Rules and these notes), results achieved by an athlete wearing
the development shoe will remain valid.
- In accordance with the rules and regulations, World Athletics reserves
the right to classify a result as 'Uncertified' ('UNC TR5.5') or declare
the athlete's performance as invalid for non-compliance with Technical Rule
5.
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