Athlete's Credibility: World Athletics Uniforms Shoe Thickness Starting In 2024

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JAKARTA - The thickness of the soles of athletic shoes for track and field numbers will be standardized to a stack height of 20 mm starting November 1, 2024.

Current regulations allow shoes to have a maximum thickness of 20-25 mm depending on the event. This size can go up to 40 mm to race on the highway.

World Athletics said a timeline had been agreed to provide shoe manufacturers with sufficient notice after the companies made a "significant investment" in shoes with sole thicknesses between 20-25mm.

"A lot of work and background meetings have been held both internally and externally on our shoe regulations since the formation of the Athletics Shoes Working Group in June 2020," said World Athletics Chief Executive Jon Ridgeon, quoted by Antara, Friday.

"Much remains to be done but I thank the Working Group, the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry and shoe companies for their openness and collaboration in finding solutions," Ridgeon continued.

Shoe technology has been in the spotlight since records began to fall. World Athletics seeks to define the line between innovation and unfair treatment of athletes.

Norwegian 400-meter hurdler Karsten Warholm cut 0.76 seconds from his own world record at this year's Tokyo Olympics. He warned shoe technology could damage the credibility of athletes.

World Athletics also said athletic shoes must not contain "sensing or intelligent" technology. The new rules and regulations will take effect from January 1, 2022.