Jamaica’s Girls’ 4 x100m Under-18 Relay Team has been disqualified because a team member stepped into an inside lane of her competitor. The Carifta officials cited IAAF Rule 163.3.
The team which included Briana Williams, Kevona Davis, Britany Anderson and Michae Harriott was stripped of their gold medal and the new record of 44.35.
The IAAF Rule 163.3 states that if an athlete strays into an inside lane or even steps on the line it is a disqualification but only on the bend. It is not a disqualification if this occurs on the straight as long as another athlete is not impeded. Nor is it illegal to run into an outer lane again as long as no other athlete is impeded. However, it is always best to try and stay wholly within your lane when competing in laned events.
