Nike’s record breaking Vaporfly Next% shoes have adorned the feet of multiple marathon winners since their release in 2017. But according to speculation, they seem likely to be banned when the World Athletics announces new rules surrounding running shoes. Here's what we know so far.

What have World Athletics said so far?

Reportedly, World Athletics have been considering the opinions of a number of different experts, with an announcement expected tomorrow, Friday 31 January 2020. At present, it looks likely that World Athletics will not impose a blanket ban on Nike's entire Vaporfly range, but will impose rules on prototypes worn by elite athletes.

Accordingly, rules that limit the thickness of midsoles and the use of carbon-fibre plates are expected. It's likely that shoe manufacturers will have to submit all prototypes to World Athletics for approval, and halt the development of new technology until after the Tokyo Olympic Games in July.

Why are these changes happening?

The shoes, worn by Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei when she broke Paula Radcliffe’s women’s marathon record last year, are believed to make its wearers four per cent more efficient. They come with super-thick soles that incorporate carbon-fibre plates that act like springs, while remaining incredibly lightweight – a pair of UK size 9 comes in at 190g.

Quinn Harris Getty Images

A prototype version of the shoes – the Alphafly – was also used by Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge when he become the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, albeit unofficially, in Vienna last October.

ALEX HALADA Getty Images

Performances such as this, along with many other record-breaking runs by those wearing the Vaporfly Next% shoes, has caused concern from non-Nike-sponsored athletes, as well as rival brands. The criticism levelled at the shoes is that it does not fall within the regulation of shoes being “available to all”. The current rules state "shoes must not be constructed so as to give athletes any unfair assistance or advantage - and any type of shoe used must be reasonably available to all in the spirit of the universality of athletics".

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While the expectation is that Kipchoge’s Alphafly shoes – which come with three carbon-fibre plates and an extremely thick midsole – will be banned, along with the modified Vaporfly Next% shoes worn by Kosgei, there may be a moratorium that allows records set in these shoes to stand.

With Kipchoge and Kosgei both due to race at the London Marathon in April, along with many other athletes who might ordinarily be wearing the shoes, the onus is on World Athletics to act quickly.

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