Assistance to Athletes 

What is allowed and what is not allowed

Allowed:

1. Communication between the athletes and their coaches where the coach is not on the Field of Play. To facilitate this communication and not disturb the staging of the competition, a place in the stands close to the immediate site of each field event site, should be organised for the coaches.

2. Medical examination/treatment and/or physiotherapy necessary to enable an athlete to participate or continue participation once on the competition area.  Such medical examination/treatment and/or physiotherapy may be provided either:

• On the competition area itself by the official medical staff appointed by the Organising Committee and identified by armbands, vests or similar distinctive apparel
• Or in designated medical treatment areas outside the competition area by accredited medical personnel specifically approved by the Medical or Technical Delegate only with the approval of the Referee and accompanied by a Judge.
• And such treatment:
  (a) Must not delay the conduct of the competition; or
  (b) Must not delay an athlete’s trial in the designated order

NB: such attendance or assistance by any other person whether during competition or immediately before competition once athletes have left the Call Room is assistance.

3. Intermediate times and preliminary winning times may be announced or displayed, but only by designated personnel with the prior approval of the Referee.

4. Windsocks may be placed in an appropriate position in all jumping events, discus throw and javelin throws to show the athlete the approximate direction and strength of the wind.

5. In track events of 5000m or longer, the Organising Committee may provide water and sponges to athletes if weather conditions warrant this.

6. In the Javelin event, an athlete may wear elbow protection

7. In throwing events, in order to protect the spine from injury, an athlete may wear a belt of leather or other suitable material.

8. Other devices eg: knee supports require the prior IAAF approval on medical advice for its use in competition.

9. In the Shot Put, an athlete may wear a bandage to protect the wrist from injury.

10. In order to obtain a better grip, an athlete may use a suitable substance on his hands only.

11. Hammer throwers may use such substances on their gloves and shot putters may use such substances on their necks.

12. Hammer throwers only can use gloves, which shall be smooth on the back and on the front and the tips of the glove fingers, other than the thumb, shall be open.

Not Allowed:

1. Pacing in races by persons not participating in the same race, (e.g. by riding a bike alongside an athlete) or by athletes lapped or about to be lapped or by any kind of technical device.  Note: - In relation to "pacing" it is a well-known fact that this occurs in major international events in an attempt by the organisers to achieve world-class performances. Despite this, care should be taken to ensure it does not happen in championship events nor where athletes are attempting to achieve qualifying performances, particularly mixed races otherwise competitors may find their performances disallowed by the Referee or they may be disqualified.

2. The use of any technical device, which incorporates, springs, wheels or any other element which provides the user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a device.

3. The use of any appliance that has the effect of increasing the dimension of the piece of the equipment beyond the permitted maximum in the Rules or that provides the user with an advantage which he would not have obtained using the equipment in the Rules.

4. Calling of lap times and preliminary winning times within the Field of Play by persons not authorised by the Referee

5. Coaches on the Field of Play, even during in the warm-up of field events or the practicing of starts or hurdling

6. Communication between athletes and coaches using "technical" devices such as video or cassette recorders, radios, CD, radio transmitters, mobile phones or similar devices in the arena.

7. Athletes leaving the Field of Play without permission and unaccompanied by a Judge.

8. Leaving the competition area (as defined by the Chief Judge during his talk with the athletes prior to competition) during competition to talk to the athlete's coach (Note:- the area which the athletes can communicate with their coach should be clearly defined – perhaps with the use of witches hats both on the infield and at the fence line.)

9. Taking drinks during the progress of an event other than at an approved station.

10. Possession on the Field of Play of unauthorised items or equipment including such things as communication devices (see point 4), throwing implements which have not been passed by the Technical Manager and included in the pool of implements for the event and any devise which will assist the athlete e.g. skipping rope. NB: It is not just use, but possession of such items on the Field of Play that is illegal.

11. An Athlete shall not use any devise of any kind-e.g. The taping of two or more fingers together or using weights attached to the body – when making an attempt. However, in the Hammer Throw an athlete can tape individual fingers. An athlete shall not use tape on the hand except when tape is needed to cover an open wound or cut. (This should be checked by the Chief Judge of the event.)

12. No substance shall be placed on implements, shoes or throwing circles.

13. The surface of the circle should not be roughened or marked in any way by an athlete.

14. Weights should not be attached to any part of the body or clothing.

15. The use of gloves in relay races and field events except in Hammer Throw.

16. The use of any appliance (eg: orthotics) either inside or outside the shoe which will have the effect of increasing the thickness of the sole above the permitted maximum (13mm in High Jump & Long Jump) or heel (19mm in High Jump) or which can give the wearer any advantage he would not obtain from shoes which comply  with IAAF Rule 143.5. In other events the sole and/or heel may be of  any thickness. (NB: The measurements are made in the Call Room   with the orthotics in the shoe and are from the inside top side and   the outside underside including any parts of the sole)

What happens to the Athlete if Assistance is given

If an athlete giving or receiving assistance from within the competition area during an event shall:

• Be warned by the Referee

If there is a repetition,

• He will be disqualified from the event.

If an athlete is subsequently disqualified from the event, any performance accomplished up to that time in the same round of that event shall not be considered valid.  Performances achieved in a previous qualifying round shall be considered valid.

 IPC Rules on Assistance to Athletes – additional

Classes 11-12

1. In events of 800m and above, people other than officials may call intermediate times, but this must be done from outside the track, in an area designated for that purpose.

2. Method of guidance is the choice of the athlete.  He/she may choose to use an elbow lead, or a tether, or to run free. In addition the athlete may receive verbal instruction from the guide. The guide must not use a bicycle or other mechanical means of transport.

3. Methods of guidance; Athletes are encouraged to provide their own guides. However, the organisers should provide an appropriate guide if the need has been indicated on the entry form in advance (together with specific details of the standard of guidance required.)

4. At no time shall the guide pull the athlete or propel the athlete forward by pushing.

5. Whether or not a tether is being used, the athlete and guide shall not be more than 0.50m apart, except under exceptional circumstances. In the last ten metres of an event held in lanes, this distance may be extended.

6. For races further than 400m two guides are allowed. Only one exchange of guides is permitted for each athlete. The exchange must take place without any hindrance to other athletes and must take place only on the straight. The intention to change guides must be notified in advance to the Referee and Technical Delegate. The technical officials will determine conditions of the exchange and will communicate these in advance to the competitors.

7. Acoustic signals are permitted. However, no visual modification to the existing facility is permitted. In events where acoustic assistance is being used (e.g. Long Jump; Triple Jump: High Jump) complete silence shall be requested from the spectators.

8. For class 12, visual modification of the existing facility is permitted. (i.e. paint, chalk, powder, cones, flags etc) Acoustic signals may also be used.

Classes 11-12: 32: 51-53

Only escorts or guide runners for classes 11-12 and escorts for athletes in classes 32; 51-53 will be permitted to accompany competitors onto the Field of Play. Persons acting as guides or escorts must be clearly identified by wearing a distinctively coloured vest by the Organising Committee.

Classes 32-34: 51-58

Strapping: If used must be only to the chair and of non –elastic material.

Classes 42- 46

Athletes in classes T42; T 43 and T44 shall use leg prosthesis in running events. Hopping is not allowed. In all competitions, except running for classesT42; T43 and T44, the wearing of prosthesis is optional. Note: Competition prostheses are not considered as appliances, which can give the wearer an advantage.

By Reg Brandis