Gizmodo 
Enter your username and password.
-
posts about #trackandfield more → 
"Performance Enhancing iPod" Gets Marathon Winner Disqualified
Tip your editors:
Editorial Director:
Brian Lam | | Twitter
Editor:
Jason Chen
| AIM | Twitter
Features Editor:
Wilson Rothman
| Twitter
Senior Contributing Editors:
Jesus Diaz
| AIM | Twitter
Mark Wilson, Reviews
| AIM | Twitter
Contributing Editors:
Matt Buchanan
| AIM | Twitter
Adam Frucci
| Twitter
Sean Fallon
| Twitter
Jack Loftus
| Twitter
John Herrman
| Twitter
Dan Nosowitz
Chris Mascari
Danny Allen
| Twitter
Rosa Golijan
| Twitter
Chris Jacob
Columnist:
Brendan I. Koerner
Interns:
Don Nguyen
Kyle VanHemert
Comment Account Questions:
| posts about #trackandfield more → |
"Performance Enhancing iPod" Gets Marathon Winner Disqualified |
Original material is licensed under a Creative Commons License permitting non-commercial sharing with attribution.
10/15/09
Not to mention, all those douchebags with earbuds in never move when I approach and call "on your right!" I would like to see iPods banned across the line for all racers. I am glad they got DQ'd.
And before you also say that shoes are performance enhancers, there are shoes banned by the USATF. Spira Stinger racing flats have springs in the soles and give unfair advantage.
10/14/09
While I agree that rule are rules, the logic for having this particular rule is pretty weak.
The way I see it, everyone should be equipped identically for the results to be truly reliable.
10/14/09
I don't see how using and iPod would get in the way of judging her athletic abilities.
The water still has a bit of sense because the water could have some illegal substance in it, thus giving an unfair advantage.
But an iPod, unless they really managed to recreate drug effects by using songs, is just bs.
10/14/09
"If you're bored, it pumps you up a little bit."
Anyone who has run a long-distance race like this knows that half the battle is mental, breaking through that 20-mile wall. In post-race comments, she said she only used the device between miles 19-21. There is a well-documented mental wall around mile 20 for marathon runners, and it would seem to be that the iPod helped get her through that, which is certainly an unfair advantage.
For the rest of us, the main concern is for safety, you have to be able to hear instructions from race officials for emergencies and not be lost in your music.
So - doing this for healthy and fun, iPod's generally overlooked. Doing this for competitive sanctioned races where there's money on the line, no electronic devices. Not rocket science.
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
"(f) The visible possession or use by athletes of video, audio, or communications devices in the competition area. The Games Committee for an LDR event may allow the use of portable listening devices not capable of receiving communication; however, those competing in Championships for awards, medals, or prize money may not use such devices."
I would say probably not. Unless your pacemaker or insulin pump plays audio, video, or enables you to communicate any more than talking.
10/14/09
So wait...what does that mean for people who have pacemakers that are set up to wirelessly transmit data to their physicians?
10/14/09
10/14/09
So, while there are legitimate concerns about safety and awareness (and maybe to a lesser degree the "metronome" effect), I think this story carries the connotation that elite runners are responsible for keeping the sport pure and have no business running with iPods. That said, rules are rules.
10/14/09
I will say, in 6 years of track, and 5 years of cross country, the OHSAA rules are WAY more strict than USATF. No jewelry of any type, whatsoever. Earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, visible piercings are all illegal, in any condition. You are allowed to wear a watch, and a headband. Headbands, must be manufactured, ie, Nike or somebody has to have made it. You can't take yarn and tie it around your head. Bobby pins and any other metal hairpieces are illegal. Including bungees with metal ties. Your uniform top must be tucked into your uniform shorts at the beginning of the race. If you're on a relay team, you may have Under Armour, etc under your uniform of any length as long as everyone on your relay team is wearing the same color. Your spandex may display one logo, and one logo only. So, if you have a logo on your Under Armour collar showing, you must cover up the one on the back of the shirt, and the one on your shorts/pants. You wouldn't even get to the start line carrying/wearing an iPod, etc.
It's to the point where you're just best off wearing your uniform exactly as they want, and only wearing spandex if all your logos are covered.
10/14/09
10/14/09
No, the logo thing is probably meant to keep the top competitors from wearing running outfits that look like they'd be better suited to NASCAR.
10/14/09
10/15/09
You're just in the wrong sport:
[highschool.rivals.com]
10/14/09
10/14/09
muevele muevele la cintura mami! mami, muevele la cintura!
10/14/09
I've been running for over 19 years and have tried to running with headphones on a tread mill. You can just zone out when the music is on. On the road however, I never wear headphones.
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/15/09
#ILoveYou #performanceenhancingipodgetsma...
10/14/09
marathons are a direct slap in the face to the innovators of transportation. we invented the automobile so you wouldn't have to run that distance.
you there, jennifer goebel: your crime wasn't listening to an ipod. nay, your crime was running 26.2 miles instead of driving it. you're just spitting in the face of karl benz. you should be ashamed of yourself. ASHAMED!
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
oh my bad, dude, i didn't realize you weren't a guy because your user name doesn't have "I'M A GIRL!! TEE HEE!!" in it. also, your avatar does not have hearts. also, what other yardwork is there besides mowing the lawn? unless you're physically incapable of mowing the lawn due to extremely short arms or because one leg is backwards and covered in warts, why would you make your mom do it? unless she is built like an ox, but if that's the case, why wouldn't you yoke her and use her to till the lands beyond where the eye can see?
you're probably wondering where the "smooth seductive mode" is going to set in. what you don't realize is this whole time i've been dancing. and you've been mesmerized by my gyrations. they're really rather hypnotic. now i have you under my full control. and the first thing i make you do? well, that's to mow your lawn instead of your mother.
10/14/09
10/14/09
anyway, i was just busting your balls. i mean your absence of balls. i mean, ok, i'm trying to be delicate, because busting your ovaries could be construed as inappropriate. how about this.
i put on my robe and wizard hat...
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
You're not running to win - you're running to rebel against John Lithgow.
10/14/09
well, yeah, it goes something like that.
10/14/09
10/14/09