The 3-band system has been tried and tested but the verdict remains? Did it pass or fail?
In the following piece, we will give examples of why the majority of the athletes we have spoken to think it is a “fail”.
The 3-band system is set up, so if you fail a mandatory obstacle, you lose one band. In order to regain it to qualify for positions, you have to do a penalty lap before crossing the finish line. You can voluntarily give up a wristband at a mandatory obstacle and therefore gamble with strategy.
The reason this system was implemented was to ensure that the sport would comply with IOC requirements in order to be accepted as an olympic sport and according to Ian Adamson from FISO, Olympic sports should not allow retries of obstacles.
Does it work?
Not according to Jesse de Heer, who in January of 2024 wrote an extensive list of suggestions to the organizers of ORCEC 24.
He claims that it did solve some problems as it reduced waiting times at obstacles and eliminated the need for Marshalls to record missed obstacles, allowing quicker finalization of results.
The drawbacks however outweigh these positive aspects as Jesse de Heer explains.
-Despite these improvements, I have become a more significant opponent of this system than initially. Many top 10 elite runners share this sentiment. The pressure of having only one chance per obstacle is too high for everyone involved.
It requires perfect execution of the obstacle, knowledge of every single obstacle and this leads to safer and less exciting performances from the athletes, as Jesse de Heer puts it.
Multiple European Champion Ida Mathilde Steensgaard has also voiced her opinion about the current rules and the complexity in enforcing these rules for the Marshalls.
In a recent social media post, Ida Mathilde states:
-Stop the 60-page rulebook and make obstacles intuitive. Make rules to ensure no athletes get advantages, but stop rules that cut bands for people stepping 1 cm outside a platform or touch something a little bit wrong. Maybe even reintroduce mandatory obstacle completion. Because, if rigs are more standardized, they will not result in queuing, as earlier years.
Current European Champion Jesse de Heer suggested a similar approach to a more simple structure.
Use 3 bands and unlimited attempts: Removing the single-chance rule retains most benefits of the three-band system while effectively addressing its drawbacks. Marshalls can send athletes back to retry an obstacle, with athletes deciding to surrender their band after one or more failed attempts.
This change promises a more exciting, fair, and less complex event for all, according to Jesse de Heer.
Danish National Champion Jonas Drescher gets the last say in this:
-Bands in general are stupid. All obstacles should be mandatory. The idea that mishaps and minor mistakes should define the outcome of the competition is stupid. Besides, it is difficult for the marshalls to judge.
Your thoughts?