Watts keen on false-start fines

Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) honorary treasure Ludlow Watts, who also serves as the chief starter at various meets sanctioned by the body, said he would not be against a policy of fining athletes who show dissent or do not leave the track after being shown a red card for a false start.

But Watts said although he's for the idea, such a decision would be down to the JAAA executive body.

"It would have to be something that has to be discussed at an executive meeting," he said.

Watts said sanctions would help to bring transparency between athletes and administrators.

"When you have a policy and rules, and regulations, you can't go wrong," he said. "If you have rules and regulations in place, regardless of whatever situation one may encounter, if one abides by these rules, there can be no issues surrounding them."

All stakeholders

Watts maintained that any rule change, once decided upon and communicated, would allow all stakeholders to operate on a level playing field.

"Once there are policies in place, we could enforce actions based on the policies, and everybody would know all the policies, the rules and regulations. So whatever decisions are taken, these decisions will be seen to be fair, reasonable and known to everybody," he said.

The JAAA is facing many questions in the aftermath of the abandoned women's 100m hurdles final at the National Trials on June 23, in which 2015 World champion Danielle Williams was ruled to have false-started by officials and ejected from the race. Williams refused to leave the track immediately, protesting the decision, delaying the restart. The JAAA subsequently ruled that although the race was voided, she would remain disqualified and ineligible for selection for the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, in September. However, Williams could still have an opportunity if she wins the 100m hurdles championship in this year's Diamond League, but JAAA president Dr Warren Blake did say that even if such an occurrence takes place, the decision to pick her for the team still rests with his board.