Wind Assistance In Athletics

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28471, 28 December 1957, Page 5

Wind Assistance In Athletics

Records in amateur athletics are a measure of progress and of relative ability amongst athletes. For this reason controlling bodies of amateur athletics have always jealously guarded the conditions under which performances could be recognised as records. It was somewhat surprising, therefore, that the International Amateur Athletic Federation decided to remove the wind assistance qualifications for 220 yards run around a bend “since it was impossible to arrive at a conclusion of the actual assistance involved.” There is no doubt that runners' can obtain considerable assistance from a favourable wind and it is in these cases that the ability and integrity of the referee must play an important part. The task of making a decision ruling out a record in such cases is a difficult one but essential if the amateur records are to retain the significance they have had in the past.

Investigation The New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association has indi?ated that it is not happy about the federation’s interpretation of the rule and wisely it has appointed a sub-committee to investigate the matter. If the sub-committee considers it necessary, recommendations will be made for submission to the federation. Whatever the outcome of the sub-committee’s report the association is to be congratulated on its cautious attitude to any alterations in the rules that appear likely to lead to a loosening of the standards governing the conditions for acceptance of records.