Nike has launched a new running shoe that complies with limits set by World Athletics after the governing body imposed a landmark ban on a version of the sportswear giant's Vaporfly shoes that was used to run the first sub-two hour marathon.
The first-ever shoe ban by World Athletics last week addressed concerns that technology advances are giving athletes an unfair and unnatural advantage, described by some critics as"technological doping".New rules state road shoes must have soles no thicker than 40mm and not contain more than one rigid, embedded carbon fibre plate, and limit the use of some track spikes on the Vaporfly models, but permit the continued use of most of the range.
"We are pleased the Nike Zoom Vaporfly series and Nike Zoom Alphafly NEXTper cent remain legal," said the U.S company."We will continue our dialogue with World Athletics and the industry on new standards." Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge used a version of the Vaporfly now deemed illegal for his unofficial sub-two hour marathon in October, a model reportedly with extra-thick soles and three carbon plates. He is expected to use the Alphafly in his London marathon showdown with Ethiopian rival Kenenisa Bekele in April's London Marathon.