World Athletics has approved rule changes for a few track events, mainly the 400 and 800 metre distances indoors, as well as the relays. The focus is on fairness and safety.
In response to requests from coaches and athletes, the intention is to improve structural disadvantages, reduce risk and improve the tactical development of races without altering their competitive essence.
The most obvious change comes in the 400 metre event. The outcome of this event is heavily influenced by lane draw. Each heat will now place only four athletes in lanes three to six. One and two will be empty, as they are the most difficult to race in the sprint due to the tight corners of typical indoor tracks that are 200m long. This change aims to make races more balanced and more appealing to spectators.
For the 800m event, the breakline will now happen in the same place that it does for the 400m athletes, with just 165m to go, giving more space for athletes to spread out.
Dropped batons in the relays will now be permitted to be picked up by the athlete where the baton is located, including leaving their lane. Also, they will not have to return to the exact spot where the baton was dropped to continue racing, as it is impractical to locate the spot.
The waiting athletes in the second, third and fourth legs of the 4 x 400m, 4 x 400m mixed and 4 x 800m shall, under the direction of the designated official, place themselves in the waiting position in the same order as their respective teammates as they pass the finish line to enter their final leg of the relay.
