t-and-f: New rules to challenge athletes at adidas Oregon

[Paul Banta]

New Rules to Challenge Athletes at adidas Oregon Track Classic PORTLAND - Experimental rules aimed at speeding up the field events and decreasing false starts will be tried at North America's only IAAF Grand Prix II meet, the adidas Oregon Track Classic. The adidas Oregon Track Classic will be held on Sunday, June 3 at Mount Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon. Pole vaulters will have two jumps at each height instead of the traditional three attempts. Discus and hammer throwers at the meet will have four throws instead of the usual six. Sprinters will be disqualified on their first false start as is done in U.S. colleges and high schools. The IAAF, track and field's international governing body, is trying out the new rules at its Grand Prix II level meets during the 2001 season. "These new rules, especially in the pole vault, will change the athletes’ strategies," meet director Paul Banta said. "It will be interesting to see how the vaulters adapt to the added pressure of having one less attempt at each height." Paul Banta adidas Oregon Track Classic 503-620-4052 www.oregontrackclassic.com