Netters:
Once again, in its latest issue, Track and Field News takes up the
question of "Volzing" and onmce again insults the iltelligence of its
readers with this offhand remarkj: "Offensive as Volzing may be to purists."
IIt is not a question of pursist, it is a question of what is right
and wrong. Volzing is a deliberate vilation of the rules, so bad that severe
penalties should be placed on vaulters who regularly use it. I am talming
about long-term suspension from the sport, not just negating the vaulkt on
which it takes place, not evben just disqualifying the vaulter from the
evenmt.
The article also refers to oficials who won't call it. These officials
should simply have their card taken away from them. They are there to
enforce the rules and this is a basic one---no deliberate touching of the
bar to gain an advantage.
I have never been able to understand those who try to excuse r even
defend Volzing. The first time it happened, it should have been "shot down"
and steps taken to be sure it didn;t happen again. Those steps, as I already
note, should be a graduated penalty for consistent violations, ending, if
necessary, with a lifetime ban for the athlete (of course, it would never go
that far; once officialdom takes a firm and consistent stand, it will soon
end.)
Ed Grant.
