Veto in the 'mgica' shoes: they ban the Kipchoge Alphafly and the other prototypes

World Athletics (International Athletics Federation) announced Friday the prohibition of the use of competing shoe prototypes, following the policy born by a Nike model that helped break several records in recent months. “As of April 30, 2020, every shoe must be available for sale to any athlete in the market (online or in store) for a period of four months, before it can be used in competition, “the agency said in a statement.

In addition, World Athletics modifies its regulations on the technical characteristics of the shoes (prohibits shoes with more than 40 millimeters of sole or with more than one plate on its midsole) and warns that a panel examine any new technology before it is valid for competition. Nike's latest generation of sneaker shoes opened a debate for World Athletics, between a regulation to preserve sports equality and the need to develop technological innovation.

The sneakers in question, the Nike Vaporfly, are equipped with a carbon foil in the sole and air chambers.

Record not approved

On October 12, 2019, the Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, a marathon world record, came down from the 2-hour symbolic barrier, crossing 42,195 kilometers in 1h.59: 40, thanks in part to the new Vaporfly prototype, baptized Alphafly (three carbon sheets in the sole and four air chambers). The challenge was not approved by World Athletics. The Alphafly cannot be used in competition because it is a prototype.

One day after this extraordinary performance, his compatriot Brigid Kosgei Beat the women's marathon world record, which Paula Radcliffe had for a long time for more than a minute (2 h 14 min 04). Kosgei wore the same shoes, in the version that has been marketed since 2017 (a carbon sheet). This model can be used in competition, in the Tokyo Games for example.

4 or 5% faster

A statistical analysis of The New York Times showed that brokers using Vaporfly run between 4% and 5% faster than the others in the marathon.

World Athletics explains that this amendment to the regulation seeks to “protect the integrity of the sport”. To remain allowed, however, any shoe adapted for aesthetic or medical reasons to the particular characteristics of an athlete's foot.

According to the new standard, the competition judge may ask any athlete, at the end of the competition, to deliver their shoes for possible inspection if you have the “reasonable suspicion” that such footwear does not conform to the rules. The president of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, explained: “It is not our job to regulate the footwear market, but it is to preserve the integrity of the lite competition by guaranteeing that the shoes used in competition offer no illegal advantage.”