Why are the ITU implimenting so many rules on clothing - no front zipper, No zipper to be undone - 2 peice suits must have a gap no larger then xx cm’s. Are they really that worried about protecting athletes modesty? Are they trying to kill off the man bra and speedo’s? Are they just trying to out do the UCI on stupid rules? Are they trying to loose more ground to the WTC and new ONE 0 One series?
Where are these new rules posted?
Man, I am in trouble with my 2 piece suit. They do not make tops long enough for my body. And would
XX cm be while running, standing, stretching?
Dave
The kit rules will apply from 2009 see here :
www.triathlon.org/?call=TVRRNA==&keep=sh
Most rules (such as the rear zipper one) apply only to elites not age groupers as far as I can tell. The gap in a 2 piece can be up to 10cm
As to the why though I haven’t a scooby.
Professionalism? Most pro sports leagues have definite rules about what is and is not acceptable. ITU is a pro league, and so a standard for uniforms is appropriate to present a marketable image for sponsors.
Their reasons are listed right in the uniform guidelines.
a) Provide a clean and professional image of our sport to local and international media.
b) Provide athletes with a reasonable space to accommodate their own sponsors.
c) Ensure that the “bare torso” rule is respected in all segments of the triathlon.
Every pro sport has regulations on what can be worn…how is this any different?
“Stupid rules.” By your interpretation only? Might I suggest taking a look at what uniform rules exist for nearly every sport on the planet. The NBA fines players for not having their jerseys tucked. The NFL fines players for violations of their uniform policy. High school & college sports have specific rules in place governing manufacturers’ logos. There are events in Australia & New Zealand where you are required to wear the race’s jersey. This applies to everyone ranging from professionals to age groupers. Sport governing bodies provide policies and procedures for uniforms. Do you think the women playing international beach volleyball want to wear two piece uni’s? They’re mandated! If the ITU rules a burden you need not compete in their events. There are thousands of other events from which to chose.
Fascist!
Ah, when in doubt try the personal attack. Such a strong, well thought out counter-argument. I applaud you ability to provide constructive points to refute the stance of the governing bodies. Well done (sic)!
get off your high horse. there is only one response: fascist! i might add, that your initial post wasn’t so “constructive” either. all you do is try to parallel the ITU rule to a bunch of rules (that may not be so good either) already enforced by other sports leagues. What you fail to do is argue the substance or the merit of the rule itself, i.e. whether it is a good or bad rule in the first place. you appear to favor the rule because it is a rule, not whether it should be the rule. Fascist (sic)!
When I played cricket we also had rules about sponsors logo’s - number of non-cricket related logo’s etc - non of these rules made Jack Russel look any smarter!!.
Maybe I am just an against “the Man” type person? - but when i am hot I quite like a front zipper that I can pull down. I find some of the rear zipper suits feel constrictive around the neck when running - I am slighly asthmatic so maybe it has something pyscholocally to do with that?
To me racing is about racing - not how you look or dress - I quite like being an individual. Perhaps having such rules does show the sport has grown up - maybe I perfered the grass routs type feel, I don’t know. I am not sure having a zipper on the front of a tri suit screamed unproffesional appearance to me.
Then again I think Cippo’s breaking of the clothing rules in cycling added to the sport rather than dimished it - I like charictors rather than facless cyborg racing with no personallity who all look the same.
It is image, plain and simple. ITU wants a slick image of their athletes that they can market to the general public. If you are ever involved with putting on an ITU style race you get this message early and often. Everything must be the same for each athlete. The desire to have the course look this way or that way in order for a certain desired image of the ITU style race. I would suspect these rules are just part of an overall marketing strategy for the ITU.
ITU rules are geared towards ITU Pros… Unless you are one of them or trying to become one, why do you care?
When I competed in ITU World champs LSD 2004, a referee from France actually stopped my on the run to zipped up(unzip?) my top. I was competing as a Age-grouper… Anyway I open it again (as much as possible) as soon he was out of sight, since It was really hot that day… However I had never heard of that rule until now…
I got told to do my zip up before the World Du champs or I could be disqualified - which is fair enough if they are the rules - but then drafting was suppose to be against the rules and dispite a number of large packs only 1 person got DQ’d.
I have gone to the site twice now, and can not find this 2009 info. Any more help.
Man, it says in the 2007 rules that a two piece can basically not have any skin exposed between the top and shorts.
I had gotten some worlds 2005 clothing, and the top does not come close to the bottoms.
Was the worlds stuff in 2005 ITU legal? Rules change?
Dave
The direct link to the pdf:
http://www.triathlon.org/docs/downloads-uniform-guidelines-2007.pdf?ts=1181855276
Are you racing as an elite or an age grouper ?
Most of the doc is about elites and the rules seem to apply now for elites (no space at all between top and bottoms), for age groupers its different
Section 10 is about age groupers and includes:
Upcoming Rule Changes for the 2009 Age Group World Championships:
There will be a two year grace period for the following items. Therefore, they will be
mandatory for the 2009 Age Group World Championships but National Federations are
encouraged to implement these changes as soon as possible.
a) Age Group athletes participating at ITU World Championships at any distance may wear
any uniform style, provided that if they wear a 2 piece then there is not more than 10 cm
separating the top and bottom.
b) The athlete’s name must be on the front and the back of the uniforms as in 3.b above.
c) The athlete’s uniform must include the ITU logo as in 3.c. above.
“The athlete’s name must be on the front and the back of the uniforms as in 3.b above.” - the question then is - will my bum look big with my name?
Me, best case would only be an AGer.
I have way more than 10cm today.
Thanks
Dave