In athletics, it is strictly regulated which types of shoes the athletes can use. Such rules do not currently exist in triathlon, which Gustav Iden took advantage of when he raced to victory in the Ironman WC in Hawaii. With a prototype from the shoe brand ON, with an extra thick sole, the Norwegian caused a stir along the trails on the volcanic Pacific island. – We have a clear set of regulations in triathlon, except on the shoe front. There we managed to utilize the regulations to our advantage, Iden tells news. WINNER: Gustav Iden crosses the finish line first during the triathlon World Cup in Hawaii. Photo: TOM PENNINGTON / AFP Freedom for “super shoes” The Triathlon Association usually follows the athletics’ shoe rules. There, too, shoe development has progressed rapidly in recent years, and the international association (World Athletics) has revised the regulations several times. On long distances, soles thicker than 40 millimeters are currently not allowed. A working group is still working to adapt the shoe rules in athletics, and the triathlon federation has been advised not to use their rules until they are finally decided. So right now there is freedom of choice as to which shoes you can wear. According to the website Triathlete, Iden’s soles may have been up to 50 millimeters thick. They further write that it was only the Norwegian’s sponsor who was aware of the loophole in the regulations. – I think everyone wants to be part of the development that is happening and have the best equipment that can be used in competitions, says Olympic champion in triathlon, Kristian Blummenfelt, to news. Paying tribute to the technological advances Iden set a new course record in Hawaii and a new marathon record of 2.36.15. In athletics too, a record race has been seen as a result of shoe development, and behind Iden’s record run is an enormous focus on details. For the Ironman WC, Iden came with a specially made shoe just for that competition, his own wheels, his own drinking system and his own sports drink. He believes it is difficult to reach the top without the best equipment. – It is an incredibly exciting time we live in now. Before, sport was just training and competing. Many people think it was a better time, but for me it is extremely cool to be part of the technological development, he says. – Can it be too mechanical? – For my part; no. That is how it has become. He is supported by training mate Blummenfelt, who finished in 3rd place during the WC in Hawaii. The two are on a short trip at home in Bergen after a competition in Bermuda at the weekend. – It’s part of the sport, so it’s important to position yourself so that you have the best equipment on the day of the competition. It will be important throughout the winter to make sure that you can already start the work towards Paris, says the 28-year-old. NORWEGIAN DUO: Gustav Iden takes on Kristian Blummenfelt in the goal area in Hawaii. Photo: TOM PENNINGTON / AFP Thinks the shoe will be banned He is aiming for the Olympics in the French capital in 2024. Blummenfelt won the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021, but expects the triathlon association to change the shoe rules before the upcoming Olympic Games. – There will probably be changes now. We asked the organizer in Bermuda if they intend to make any rules, and they just nodded and smiled a little. “We’ll see,” they said. Nor is Iden optimistic about being able to use the “super shoe” in Paris. – The shoes I ran with probably won’t be legal in the Olympics, so then we have to look at how the regulations are written and take the job from there, says Iden. news has been in contact with the International Triathlon Union, which has not yet commented on whether they will change the shoe rules in the near future. Now that the triathlon WC is over, it will probably be a long time until the Norwegian duo competes in that format again. Now it is the Olympic distance that is on the minds of both of them for the next barely 1.5 years. – That is what we are betting on. If there is a gold there, we will see what I do in the future. I think it’s the most fun form of competition. It is far enough that you need extreme endurance, but at the same time dynamic and incredibly exciting, says Iden.
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Triathlete Gustav Iden’s “super shoes” may be banned from the Olympics in Paris 2024 – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
