Ryan Crouser, the two-time Olympic gold medalist, created history with his shot put throw, but it will not be recognized as a world record owing to technicalities.
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Ryan Crouser, the two-time Olympic gold medalist, created history with his shot put throw, but it will not be recognized as a world record. The 30-year-old athlete broke his own global indoor record of 22.82 meters by throwing the shot put the longest distance ever, measuring 23.38 meters. However, officials determined that the shot put ring was too big and the landing area was too downhill from the ring, which resulted in the record being disqualified. Although Crouser’s throw is included on his World Athletics profile page, it is not featured among the top throws of the year or all-time.
A representative for World Athletics revealed that the circle’s diameter really measured at 2.161-2.188 meters, which was greater than the permitted range of 2.130-2.140 meters at each measurement site. The throw exceeded Crouser’s outdoor world record set in 2021 by one centimeter. However, his triumph in the February meeting with a 23.38-meter throw has the word IRM next to it, suggesting it is an irregularity.
According to NBC Sports, the spokesperson also mentioned, “The downward inclination of the landing area was more than the allowed at every measuring point between 10m and 25m. The meaning of TR32.11 (“The maximum overall downward inclination of the landing sector, in the throwing direction, shall not exceed 1:1000 (0.1%)”) is that the allowable sloping is 1mm per each meter, that is 1cm per every 10m. When the level of the middle of the circle is taken as the datum (0.000m), the level of the landing sector at 10m can be no more than 10mm lower than that (was reported as 42mm lower at the lowest point of the 10m arc), at 15m no more than 15mm lower (was 44mm lower), at 20m no more than 20mm lower (was 47mm lower), at 25m no more than 25mm lower (was 47mm lower).”
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Ryan Crouser expressed confusion over the ruling on an Instagram post but also stated, “The ring was a 3/4” plywood on turf with rubber matting around but not under it,” Crouser posted. “The rule is 1:1000 for a level field meaning 1m drop at 1,000m or less is legal. 3/4inch=1.9cm=0.019m elevation of the ring following the 1:1000 rule gives 19m. So a throw under 19m would not count but 23m>19m so there is less than 1:1000 elevation change so legal under the WA rules.” He further added, “This isn’t a new issue, it’s the reason we have to put mats down to throw off a double plywood ring because then it is an 1.5” elevated ring and breaks the 1:1000 rule. So I really don’t understand where this ruling is coming from.”
Ryan Crouser has been working on a new throwing movement that will help him gain momentum and boost his rotational power. However, his furthest throw was accomplished from a static position, causing some to suspect that he may be able to throw considerably further. Despite being disqualified, Crouser is still considered one of the best athletes in shot put who has, so far, thrown more than 23 meters in seven tournaments. Crouser has also won a gold and a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in addition to being a two-time Olympic champion.
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