N.Z. To Seek Ruling On Position Of Runner Falling At Finish

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22915, 6 April 1949, Page 9

N.Z. To Seek Ruling On Position Of Runner Falling At Finish

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 6. An echo of the New Zealand championship meeting at Christchurch was heard at a meeting of the management committee of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Associaion last night when it was decided to seek a a ruling from the international federation on rule 42 governing a competitor falling at the finish. Mr. L. A. Tracy said that in winning the 100 yards, P. Henderson (Wanganui) dived at the tape- His body was ahead of that of Batten (Canterbury) but after falling it appeared that Henderson’s feet were still behind the finishing line while Batten had cleared the line. A press photograph of the finish disclosed this.

The decision of the judges could not be upset but the point was one which should be clarified.

Portion of rule 42 governing the question states that a competitor falling at the finish is not considered to have completed the race unless his entire body shall have crossed the finishing line. In view of the misunderstanding that arose over the compilation of points in the New Zealand-Australia test at Athletic Park, it was suggested that before any future similar contest took place, a clear understanding of the method to be adopted should be reached.