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The marathon has been in Olympics since its own
inception in modern days and it has been part of all summer games
after that. Usually, in the Olympics, the women's marathon is
organized as the midway point of the games, while the men's marathon
is organized in the last days of the event. The distance of the
marathon race at the Olympics has varied in the early years, before
being set at 42,195 m in 1924.
Rules and Regulations
As for all athletics events, rules and regulations for marathon too
have been set by International Association of Athletics Federations
or IAAF. Basic rules set by the IAAF for the marathon are given as
under.
- The beginning and finishing points of the marathon race must
be visibly marked.
- Even if an athlete is off the course with permission from the
judge, he has to be under constant supervision of the judge, so
that he might not try any unscrupulous means to win the race.
- All the sections of the race have to be well-marked.
- A sprinter will have to leave the race on the direction of an
official medical staff.
- All marathon events in the Olympics have to be organized on
roads. Athletes cannot participate in the event on soft land.
- Athlete will not be awarded any point until he reaches the
finishing point.
- The runners should be made aware of the distance they are
required to run.
- The athletes can have refreshment only at the designated
places.
- Any athlete is not permitted to leave the road without
permission of a judge.
Performers
Super performers in Marathon race in Olympics are Spiridon Louis,
Michel Théato, Thomas J. Hicks, Johnny Hayes, Kenneth
McArthur, Hannes Kolehmainen, Waldemar Cierpinski, Carlos Lopes,
Gelindo Bordin, Hwang Young-Cho, Josia Thugwane, Gezahegne Abera,
Albin Stenroos, Boughera El Ouafi, Juan Carlos Zabala, Sohn
Kee-chung, Delfo Cabrera, Emil Zátopek, Alain Mimoun, Abebe
Bikila, Mamo Wolde, Frank Shorter, and Stefano Baldini. |
