It was the classic gala at home in Oslo where the Norwegian running star struck with the time 32.67 on the distance. Then he, as usual, had to pose next to the result sign on the inner track which showed that the 29-year-old had set a new world record.
All in order to just twelve days later lose it.
According to Norwegian NRK, the International Athletics Federation means that the event, which became an official event as late as in March, is not yet popular enough to be classified as a world record event.
”There are no fixed criteria for when an event can be recognized as a world record event. Even if several of the world's best hurdlers already compete in the event, it is not yet a part of the global athletics culture", writes the federation's press chief Maphuti Hlako to the site.
Competition manager Steinar Hoen believes, however, that the record may become official instead during next year, when the event has grown a bit.
It became an official event in March, and then you usually use the first year to get as many as possible to participate. Then you usually let the best result from the first season stand as the official world record until the next season, he says.
