American Marconi Wireless News - World Athletics ditches long jump take-off zone reform

The concept of a new long jump 'takeoff zone' whereby the distance of the jump would be measured using cameras from where the foot left the ground in a 40-centimetre zone had been met with widespread criticism from athletes.

The idea behind the reform was that it would significantly reduce the risk of invalid jumps, but critics argued it removed the essential technical risk of long jump: correctly judging the sprint down the runway before hitting the fixed board.

"World Athletics has listened to its athletes and has decided to put the testing of a new proposed takeoff zone for horizontal jumps on hold indefinitely," a spokesperson for track and field's governing body told AFP.

"While the format tested well with fans and spectators, there was little support for the takeoff zone among athletes, who are our key stakeholders.

"Takeoff zones may be considered for completely new and different event types in the future but nothing is in formal planning at this point."

S.Gregor--AMWN