World Athletics president Coe supports innovation in shoe technology

PARIS (FRANCE) – World Athletics president Sebastian Coe is of the opinion that steps to restrict research and development of shoes would only “suffocate innovation”, as top-notch athletes increasingly break world records sporting high-tech footwear.

There has been a raging debate over runners’ shoes since hi-tech shoes developed by Nike played a key role in two of the biggest distance-running achievements of 2019.

Ugandan athlete Joshua Cheptegei smashed the 10,000m world record and Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia demolished the women’s 5,000m record in Valencia in October 2020 and they both wore Nike’s ZoomX Dragonfly spikes.

Kibiwott Kandie of Kenya broke the half marathon world record by 29 seconds in December wearing an Adidas road racing shoe.

“I remember a period in the mid-2000s where Adidas were the kings of the podium, particularly in distance. So these things come in cycles,” the Guardian quoted Coe as saying.

“And there’s a built-in dynamic where shoe companies mercifully are still investing a lot of money into the research and development of shoes. I’m pleased they’re doing that.

“At the moment I’m pretty calm about this. And the balance of judgment here is always … that we shouldn’t be in the business of trying to suffocate innovation.”

Coe said the sport is yet to reach the point where “world records are being handed out like confetti.”

“If I go back to the 1930s I still marvel at Rudolf Harbig who ran 1:46 and bits for 800m on a cinder track,” he added.

“And I still marvel at Peter Snell, who ran world records and some significantly sub-1:45s on grass tracks. Meanwhile, Derek Clayton ran a world marathon record in shoes that you wouldn’t have gone for a stroll with in your local park.”