Trackside 

Officials News And Views

By Leon Blanchet

Firstly I would like to thank Brian Roe Athletics Australia and member of the IAAF Technical Committee for allowing me to publish this quick summary of rule changes which will come into effect on 1 January 2008.  

Summary Of New IAAF Rules Passed At 2007 IAAF Congress

A range of changes were made to the IAAF Technical Rules at the 2007 Congress. It should be noted that all congresses are now related as “technical congresses” and therefore we can expect change to now be made in large numbers every two years rather than every four as was previously the case. The opportunity will again be taken as the new Handbook is finalised to make further “editorial changes”. Full details will be contained in the proof copy of the Handbook once it is completed. The current draft is available on the IAAF website (www.iaaf.org) in the downloads section.

This document aims to summarise those changes, which may affect state, local and school competitions. The main changes to the Technical Rules are summarised as follows:

Summary of New Rules Passed at 2007 IAAF Congress 

NEW IAAF HANDBOOKS (New Zealand)

The IAAF will finalise the new Handbook after its November 2007 Council meeting. As soon as it becomes available, all Centre Officials Coordinators will be provided with a copy and Centre will be able to purchase copies for their Officials?

GENERAL RULES

It should be noted that the ANZ Rules Committee and National Technical Officials Committee will probably be recommending some minor changes to our Supplementary rules to cover this update of IAAF Rules 

Wishing all a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year, thank you all for your dedication to athletics let it never wane.