2011's Most Controversial Moment: Paula's Fight
2011's Most Controversial Moment: Paula's Fight
In recent years it is probably safe to say that marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe’s greatest frustration has been injury. Suddenly in 2011 she was hit with a different type of setback. The IAAF ruled that records set in mixed gender races are not world records and would be downgraded to “world-bests.” With this rule, Radcliffe’s 2:15:25 from the 2003 London race and Deena Kastor’s US record of 2:19:36 would be off the books.
When the news of this decision broke, questions around the reasoning of the rule arose immediately. Electronic media and social outlets large and small jumped on the story, and most of them were in support maintaining current records. One blogger (katieranthis.com) questioned “why even make this ruling in the first place? I was not aware that there was so much controversy surrounding women’s records that such a ruling was even necessary.” Arguments were in favor of everyone running the same course at the same time and the inherent equality of this racing format. Now women’s performances would be judged differently.
With what seemed to be a consensus of support against the rule, Paula Radcliffe went to Monaco to meet with IAAF officials. The outcome was perfect. The rule was adjusted, allowing old record to stay on the books. Only future performances are affected by the rule.
This IAAF rule was a “Much Ado About Nothing” moment. Most major marathons already separate genders. Both men and women who are attempting to break records benefit from several pacers, in most cases, who are paid to run certain distances. It seems that both genders have equal opportunities to break records regardless of who else is on the course. Race directors take significant steps to set up records, and women do not get the short end of the stick considering how much money is one the line at major marathons.
Also, if a woman is trying to break the world record these days, there is not going to be a pack of men cruising at 2:14 pace after 30k. Men are trying to hang on at that level, and women are probably better off running their own race instead of drafting in the latter stages of a race (when paces can become erratic . The IAAF has most likely got it right by grandfathering in the current records. Unfortunately they were unable to avoid confusion, chaos, and a visit from Paula along the way.
When the news of this decision broke, questions around the reasoning of the rule arose immediately. Electronic media and social outlets large and small jumped on the story, and most of them were in support maintaining current records. One blogger (katieranthis.com) questioned “why even make this ruling in the first place? I was not aware that there was so much controversy surrounding women’s records that such a ruling was even necessary.” Arguments were in favor of everyone running the same course at the same time and the inherent equality of this racing format. Now women’s performances would be judged differently.
With what seemed to be a consensus of support against the rule, Paula Radcliffe went to Monaco to meet with IAAF officials. The outcome was perfect. The rule was adjusted, allowing old record to stay on the books. Only future performances are affected by the rule.
This IAAF rule was a “Much Ado About Nothing” moment. Most major marathons already separate genders. Both men and women who are attempting to break records benefit from several pacers, in most cases, who are paid to run certain distances. It seems that both genders have equal opportunities to break records regardless of who else is on the course. Race directors take significant steps to set up records, and women do not get the short end of the stick considering how much money is one the line at major marathons.
Also, if a woman is trying to break the world record these days, there is not going to be a pack of men cruising at 2:14 pace after 30k. Men are trying to hang on at that level, and women are probably better off running their own race instead of drafting in the latter stages of a race (when paces can become erratic . The IAAF has most likely got it right by grandfathering in the current records. Unfortunately they were unable to avoid confusion, chaos, and a visit from Paula along the way.
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