Prompt Cast
Banned Techniques in Track and Field: Innovations that Improved Performance but Were Deemed Unsafe
TLDR Various track and field techniques, including the dolphin kick in swimming and innovations in pole vaulting, shot put, and long jumping, have been banned due to safety concerns despite their potential to break world records and push the boundaries of human achievement.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Several track and field techniques, such as the dolphin kick in swimming, have been banned because they dramatically improve performance.
02:06
Track and field has seen many innovations and techniques, such as the Fosbury Flop in high jump and a technique in pole vaulting where the athlete holds the bar with their hand while in midair.
03:40
Innovations in pole vaulting, shot put, and long jumping, such as volzing, cartwheeling, and countering forward rotation, have been banned in track and field for various reasons.
05:26
The somersault technique in long jumping, which was first successfully attempted by Delamir in 1974, had the potential to break world records, but it was banned in 1975 due to safety concerns.
07:16
The traditional method of throwing a javelin was changed due to safety concerns and the world record for the javelin throw was reduced as a result.
08:56
A technique in which javelin throwers spun like discus throwers and used soap to make the javelin slide out of their hands was banned in 1957 after several Spanish throwers achieved record-breaking distances.
10:41
Loosening up the rules in certain track and field events to allow more experimentation and technique would make the sport more interesting for spectators and push the boundaries of human achievement.
