International athletics chiefs decided last night to introduce controversial new rules on false starts that have provoked fierce opposition from several top athletes.
From the beginning of 2003, only one false start will be allowed in a race without an athlete being disqualified. After one false start, any competitor who jumps the gun will be disqualified from the race, even if he or she did not commit the first offence.
The decision was taken in a vote at the congress of the sport's world governing body at a meeting before the World Championships, which start on Friday.
Leading athletes, including Olympic sprint champions Marion Jones and Maurice Greene, had been strongly opposed to any changes to the false start rules.
The new rule will apply in sprint events up to and including the 400 metres. The International Association of Athletics Federation is keen to improve the image of the sport on television and wants to make sure schedules run to time. Officials believe numerous false starts are not good for the sport.