On the Scene in Daegu -- False Starts Overshadow Early Athletics Action

(ATR) Two Olympic champions and a World Championships medalist have fallen victim to their own false starts in the first two days of the IAAF World Championships in Daegu.

The unexpected disqualification of Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt prior to the men's 100-meter final Sunday night sent shock waves through the sport. Earlier, Dwain Chambers of Great Britain had been disqualified in the 100 semifinals for jumping the gun.

Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain was the first famous casualty in the heats of the women's 400 meters, saying she felt "broken." A day later, Joanne Cuddihy of Ireland was also DQed for a false start in the 400 semifinals.

"I've never in my life seen anything like that before," said defending 400 champion Sanya Richards-Ross of the U.S. "The one thing I can say is that it's hard to hear, so I'm not sure if the women are just not hearing the commands as well. But it's unfortunate that we've had two who had to go out to false starts."

But Bolt's DQ resonates the loudest and spans marketing campaigns.

"I didn't really figure they'd kick him out," said Walter Dix of the U.S., the silver medalist in 10.08 seconds. "They had him on every poster."

The IAAF adopted a "one false start and you're out" rule that became official on Jan. 1, 2010. It was supposed to help keep television programs on schedule, since false starts added too much time. The rule in effect from 2001-2009 charged the first false start to the field, and then the next would result in disqualification. That encouraged athletes to take a chance on a "flyer."

Bronze medalist Kim Collins of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the world champion in 2003 and 2005 bronze medalist, said he believes the rule was better the old way.

"People want to see Bolt, the show must go on," said Collins."Come on, one simple mistake and he's out. And then fans all over the world, not just Korea, they're sad. They want to see Usain Bolt win because he's been doing it and doing it and they want to see him do it again."

IAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss told Around the Rings before the World Championships that the decision was a difficult one. "The vote of our Congress was far from being unanimous," he said. "This being said, we have now almost two seasons of experience behind us and we can say that it was a wise decision: athletes accommodated this new situation, and results are continuing to improve."

The vote was 97-55 in favor of the harsher rule.

Some fear a similar situation could happen in London with Bolt or another top athlete.

In 1996, the defending 100-meter champion Linford Christie of Great Britain was disqualified for two false starts. He protested vociferously, saying the system was in error when it charged him with the second false start. Christie did not question the first call, which occurred before the gun was fired. the electronic blocks were then activated.

According to reports, British bookmaker William Hill has offered odds of 5/2 that the rule will be changed.

"There will be repercussions after such a high profile false start deprived fans all over the world of watching Bolt in a final and we wouldn't be surprised if the false-start rules were amended before the London Olympics," Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe said.

Of course, the bookmaker also offers 2-7 odds that the rule will not be changed.

IAAF vice president Sergei Bubka said he is open to revisiting the situation, "This is really ridiculous. I don't know what to say" he told The Associated Press. Bubka was a pole vaulter, an event where an athlete gets three misses before he's out. He said he understood the role that nerves can play.

"If we did some mistake, we should come back," Bubka said. "I'm very open, if necessary, to discuss and look (at the rule). I think in any case, what has happened, it brings us to discussion, to look ... is it right or not?"

Bolt's agent, Ricky Simms, said his client knew the stakes that were involved..

"The rules the rule, everyone knows what the rule is," he said. "It's unfortunate. It was a bit of an anticlimax for the meet. I'm disappointed for Usain. He's not someone. he doesn't false start very often. But that's athletics. That's sport. The sad thing is he was looking so good through the rounds and we were very confident he was going to perform very well. Let's look forward to the 200."

The 200 begins on Friday, and finishes on Saturday, and the 4 x 100-metrer relay starts Sunday.

Written and reported in Daegu by Karen Rosen.

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