• Athletics: Nike's Vaporfly, 'magic' shoes for faster running and reducing fatigue
  • Technology: The competition already copies Nike's 'miracle' shoes
  • Non-approved record Elli Kipchoge breaks the two-hour barrier in a custom marathon

World Athletics (International Athletics Federation) announced on Friday the ban on the use of prototype shoes in competition, following the controversy born by a Nike model that helped break several records in recent months. " As of April 30, 2020, every shoe must be available for sale to any athlete in the market (online or in store) for a period of four months , before it can be used in competition," said the agency it's a statement.

In addition, World Athletics modifies its regulations on the technical characteristics of the shoes (it prohibits shoes with more than 40 millimeters of sole or with more than one plate in its midsole) and warns that a panel will examine any new technology before it is valid for the competition The controversial Nike sneakers last generation opened a debate for World Athletics, between a regulation to preserve sports equality and the need to develop technological innovation.

The shoes in question, the Nike Vaporfly, are equipped with a carbon sheet in the sole and air chambers.

Record not approved

On October 12, 2019, the Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, a marathon world record, came down from the 2-hour symbolic barrier, crossing 42,195 kilometers in 1h.59: 40, thanks in part to the new Vaporfly prototype, baptized Alphafly (three carbon sheets in the sole and four air chambers). The challenge was not approved by World Athletics. Alphafly cannot be used in competition because it is a prototype .

A day after this extraordinary performance, his compatriot Brigid Kosgei broke the women's marathon world record for a minute, which was long held by the British Paula Radcliffe (2 h 14 min 04). Kosgei wore the same shoes, in the version that has been marketed since 2017 (a carbon sheet). This model can be used in competition, in the Tokyo Games for example.

4 or 5% faster

A statistical analysis of The New York Times showed that runners using Vaporfly ran between 4% and 5% faster than the others in the marathon.

World Athletics explains that this amendment to the regulation seeks to "protect the integrity of the sport". However, any shoe adapted for aesthetic or medical reasons to the particular characteristics of an athlete's foot will still be allowed.

In accordance with the new rule, the competition judge may ask any athlete, at the end of the competition, to deliver his shoes for eventual inspection if he has the "reasonable suspicion" that such footwear does not conform to the rules. The president of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, explained: "It is not our job to regulate the footwear market, but to preserve the integrity of the elite competition by guaranteeing that the shoes used in competition offer no illegal advantage."

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