Yes , the rules can be quite ”friendly” …but not for everybody. In fact they are rather incoherent and put the officials and the athletes in situations that it would be better to prevent or to manage with a little more care and respect of the SPIRIT of the rule , better than the rule itself and to have to deal with rules that are not clear to apply.

The incident happening to the French hammer thrower Yann CHAUSSINAND in the 1st round of the final where he was looking to be one of the medal contenders , set back on the table the question of how to judge the fouls in the rotational events . A recent ”reform” has in fact ”legalised” what was an evident breach , has certainly not solved the problem.  Yann has his 1st throw (a very good one) declared valid by the circle official (who certainly was picked because of his experience and competency) . Then this performance was ”annihilated” , 20 minutes later (!!!) , by ”somebody” following some video controls. No prove or evidence was publicly published about this decision. The athlete and his coach say that they were told that there was a tiny mark on the black adapter outside the rim of the circle . This was quite arguable , if not more (since when are we looking for marks on the circles rims to declare the throws valid or not  ?  The rule also says :  ”in the case of doubt , one should not disadvantage the athlete  !  Good words indeed and this could have been a case . Destabilising in such a way an athlete during such a competition where he was in contention for the medal or at least a good placing should have called for being a little more cautious and understanding >,

When , in the same time , one can happily step and use the rim and even the outside of the circle in other places on the competition area without anybody taking care . With the result to get a considerable advantage !

With this reform mania , we are obviously  going in circles !

Available documents : Visitors and members : PDF  pages ”Going in circle  ?”

In the hammer chapter  Marteau 42  JO Paris 2024 Marteau H 1er Essai  et Marteau H Chaussinand qualifications