World record-holder and Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 110 metre hurdles, Cuban Dairon Robles, puts his running shoes on, during a training session at the Alberto Spencer stadium in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on May 9, 2010. Some 20 Cuban athletes are training in the South American country for the upcoming international competitions. AFP PHOTO/RODRIGO BUENDIA
Rules concerning new generation athletics shoes will be tightened after the Paris 2024 Olympics, World Athletics said on Thursday.
The move comes at a time where carbon and foam soles in athletics shoes appear to be improving performances.
“A long-term sustainable and implementable solution for athletic shoes which balances innovation and fairness will be introduced with suppliers given time to adapt,” World Athletics said.
“Sole thicknesses across all athletic shoes in track and field events (will change) to a stack height of 20mm from 1 November 2024.”
“Greater emphasis will be placed on conducting post-race spot checks through the introduction of shoe control procedures,” World Athletics said.
Current norms are around 25mm, meaning significant investment from suppliers to adapt.