WA, fix the throwing surfaces

The special weather conditions during the Tokyo Olympics put the finger on a problem that exists since time immemorial in athletics and which has been treated with the utmost indifference by the instances of World Athletics, that of throwing surfaces. But let's start with the rules. Here is what they say on the throwing surfaces.

The interior of the circle may be constructed of concrete, asphalt or some other firm but not slippery material.

Yes, you read correctly, that's all there is. Which means that if a grass ring, like the one used in the Highland Games (you can see such a throwing area in my post on stone throw), is not slippery then it could be acceptable for the World Championships throwing competitions.

Initially the throwing circles were just beaten earth and the javelin runway perhaps cinder. Then, probably after WWII, concrete throwing circles became the standard. With the introduction of tartan synthetic tracks the javelin runway followed course. And that's it. No further guidance has been issued by World Athletics. Which means that the variation in the adhesion of the circles can be enormous and still abide with the "non slippery" prescription. And given that the athletes have to declare in advance which kind of shoes they will be using, they do not have the luxury to adapt their choice of shoes to the circle surface (unless they happen to have prior knowledge, which is rarely the case). All this led to the Tokyo debacle. 

The women's discus competition was held under pouring rain. As a result the circle became so slippery that more than one thrower ended up on their back. In the end the judges had to interrupt the competition waiting for the rain to abate. Why on earth can't we have self-draining throwing circles?

In the case of men's javelin the situation was even worse. Using a runway of the same quality as the one used for the track is really absurd. We saw many athletes unable to brake sufficiently in order to make a correct throw. J. Vetter, the best javelin thrower in the world today, barely managed to qualify for the final and went on to miss not only a medal but even a place among the first eight finalists. 

The organisers had to cool (!) the runway with ice before the event, hoping that this would provide a better grip. To no avail.

It is high time World Athletics provided rules concerning the surface of the throwing circles and of the javelin runway.