Old False Start rule to remain

The old False Start Rule will stay in this year's Coca-Cola Games.

The Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association has just decided that the international rule of No False Start will not be implemented this year.

This has just been decided in the Technical Meeting which is still underway in Suva.

Secondary Schools Athletics Association General Secretary, Vuli Waqa proposed in the meeting that the international rule be implemented for the Intermediate and Senior grades while the Sub Junior and Junior grades use the old rule.

However the unanimous decision was that all grades should follow the old rule which allows one false start and then disqualifies the next false starter.

The Association has decided that the new international rule will be implemented later.

A number of athletics coaches and school zones had opposed the implementation of the international rule this year, saying there should be more awareness and proper training needs to be provided for athletes to get used to starting blocks for races as many try out the starting block just a day or two before the actual games begin.