Benn Haradine lashes out over changes to competition rules

THREE — TIME Olympic discus thrower Benn Harradine has described recent rule changes as “a bit poo” and urged officials to rethink them.

Benn Harradine of Australia competes in the Discus Throw Men during the AA Drink FBK Games in the Netherlands.

THREE — TIME Olympic discus thrower Benn Harradine has described recent rule changes as “a bit poo” and urged officials to rethink them before next season.

The entertaining 33-year-old has developed a cult following for his competition suits worn around the world but offered some serious thoughts on the imbalance which competition rules, implemented this year, have created.

Ordinarily at a meet, following the opening three throws which are afforded to all competitors, the top eight throwers then get a further three attempts.

However, that number has been halved — and now just the top four get the normal allotment of six attempts.

Speaking after finishing sixth with a throw of 62.10 at the Birmingham Diamond League meet, Harradine said the rules had to be looked at.

“I don’t know how many championships I’ve seen won by the guy who has been in eighth place (after three attempts) and then he wins the comp,” Harradine told AAP.

“There are a lot of us who are travelling all over the place ... imagine flying to New York for three throws?

“It’s a bit poo. Hopefully it’s not here next year.

“I really think it’s not a great thing for the sport, that’s for sure.”

Harradine pointed to the change in conditions in Birmingham on Sunday, where the three biggest throws of the day came with a more favourable wind as the final four athletes were competing.

“The first three rounds we had a massive tailwind and then it turns around,” he added.

“You see the result — 67m wins the meet, and then from four down have thrown 63.

“You really have to sort of question it — it’s very hard for us to get used to this new rule.” Having spent nearly ten months off the circuit to fix his technique and work on the mechanics of throwing again, Harradine admits he’s behind the eight-ball as he works towards the Rio Games in August — his third Olympics.

But he’s encouraged by progress made in recent weeks, which included twice throwing his season’s best on Sunday, as he’s moved from intense training to intense competition.

A chat with his father calmed Harradine’s concerns and he’s learned not to become fixated on weekly results.

“I’m happy. I wasn’t three weeks ago, I can tell you that,” he said.

“By the time I get to Rio, 65, 64 metres will probably make the final. Today, (to throw) 62.10m in average conditions is pretty decent.”

Originally published as Benn Haradine lashes out over changes to competition rules