Disqualified because of his bare feet

Updated story now says that it was because of track materials that get too hot in the summer:

But the primary school sports association spokesman, Neil Sargisson, said the rule about shoes was instigated by the organisers of Wellington regional athletics events, based on safety aspects of running in bare feet on synthetic tracks.

"There have been incidents of children running in bare feet on synthetic tracks in summer where the track temperature was in the mid-high 40s and they have finished with blisters and burns on their feet," he said.​

Maybe they ought to regulate what the tracks are allowed to be made of! After all, kids do fall down sometimes in races. An overly hot track would then burn their arms, legs, and even possibly faces.

Or aren't they really concerned about safety?

Plus, as I understand it, the boy had been running previous races that day in order to qualify for the final, didn't he?
 
It's just so wrong. :(
 
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If spikes are so hazardous because children can't keep in their lanes then they should ban spikes - if it's such a health and safety issue. If as they say, being barefoot would create an unfair advantage then they should ban spikes also as some children might not be able to afford spikes giving those who can an unfair advantage.

And i don't see mid to high 40's causing blisters from burning. My shower's hotter than that and i don't get blistered. Do they ban other shoes when some children get blisters from running in shoes?

It's bizarre the excuses officialdom comes up with to ban barefeet.

But it's ok to allow children to play rugby and get broken necks and concussive brain damage - just don't let a child get a sore foot. The world is beyond my comprehension sometimes.
 
"Equal playing field"??? why not ban the spiked shoes then?
 
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