Violation of sprint start limit

THE EDITOR, Madam:

While in most respects the recently concluded 2025 Boys and Girls Champs was a most exhilarating experience, especially for the communities associated with the eventual winners, Kingston College and Hydel High School, there was one aspect that was extremely depressing. I refer to the disqualification and abrupt ejection from a sprint event because of the so-called violation of the sprint start limit of 0.1 seconds (100 metres), and the demoralising effect it had on the affected student athletes and their supporters.

It is not unreasonable that this rule be applied when the sprinter reacts before the gun is fired. What is questionable is to apply the rule when the sprinter reacts after the gun is fired and the reaction time is less that 100 metres, especially when it is just a few metres less than the limit. Some suggest that the limit should be reduced to 85 metres. This rule as it stands has been a bone of contention among the athletics community since the 1990s when it was based on a study of Finnish male sprinters.

This rule be reconsidered based on a broad range of data and that it be appropriately modified, whether at the level of the World Athletics and/or applied to the Boys and Girls Champs. There is also the matter of the equipment used at Champs to measure and respond to the reaction time.

CLEMENT MCCALLA