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Daniel Ryland wrote:I work at Bell Athletics with Earl Bell. We have sent an e-mail to the IAAF concerning the new rules in the Pole Vault. We have received a return e-mail explaining that there is going to be a technical meeting concerning these rules on March 8-9th I think it could be benificial if we can get this email address out to a mass of Pole Vaulters and coaches so that they can send there concerns via e-mail.

It is an obvious attempt to digress the event, any help you can give to spread this message, I believe would be helpful for the event.

Below is the email response, as well as the email Earl Bell sent the IAAF. 

The contact is Istvan Gyulai istvan@iaaf.org

Earl Bell wrote:-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 4:55 PM
To: general-secretary@iaaf.org
Subject: new pole vault rule

Dear Sir,

This year the rule concerning the length of the peg that supports the crossbar has been reduced to 55mm. I believe this is a rule change that will cause problems and delays as well as diminish the appeal of the pole vault. I have spoken with many athletes, coaches, and officials about the new rule...not one person thought it was a good decision to change this rule.

Please forward this to the IAAF office that has jurisdiction over this matter. Or, if possible, reply to me with a contact to further discuss this matter.

Earl Bell

Istvan Gyulai wrote:IAAF - Istvan GYULAI <istvan@iaaf.org> wrote:

From: "IAAF - Istvan GYULAI"
To: "'Earl Bell'"
Subject: RE: new pole vault rule
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 17:44:13 +0100

Dear Mr Bell,

Thank you for you comment regarding the size of the PV pegs. The IAAF Technical Committee will meet on 8-9 March and this issue will also be on the agenda. As soon as there is further information I will let you know.

Kind Regards.

Istvan Gyulai
IAAF General Secretary

Wednesday, March 5
 
Pole vaulters unhappy with rule changes
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Associated Press
HAMBURG, Germany -- About 20 leading pole vaulters sent a letter to track and field's governing body to protest rule changes they say will make records more difficult.

The group wants the IAAF to reconsider the changes, especially the reduction of pole vault pegs by nearly one-third. The pegs hold the bar, and smaller pegs will cause the bar to fall more easily when brushed by the vaulter.

Jeff Hartwig of the United States and Tim Lobinger of Germany were among those who signed the letter.

"The athletes have been overrun by the changes and their prospects are not good,'' Marc Osenberg, a former pole vaulter and agent of the many of the vaulters who signed the letter, said Wednesday.

"On the other side, we have a good contact to IAAF and we are not seeking a confrontation.''