200 meter Hurdles at Olympics: The hurdling event involves running over hurdles set on the track. 200 meter hurdle race is a rarely contested hurdling event. Sometimes the long hurdle events are shortened to the distance of 200 meter. The 200 meter hurdle event needs fine technique along with excellent speed on the part of the athletes. The 200 meter hurdle event was held at the US National Championships until 1961.
200 meter Hurdles in Summer Olympics: The 200 meter hurdle event was included in the men's athletics program in the 1900 Paris Summer Games and the 1904 St. Louis Summer Games. After the 1904 St. Louis Games, the event was dropped from the Olympic schedule.
Rules for 200 meter Hurdles at Olympics: The rules relevant for the 200 meter hurdle event at the international competitions were-
The hurdles are usually made from metal and the top bar of the hurdle is made from wood.
The hurdles are made in such a way that they can be adjusted at different height for different events.
The organizing committee has fixed the length and width of each hurdle. The top bar of each hurdle has to be painted with white and black colors.
No runner is permitted to leave or change their respective lanes.
Deliberately knocking down the hurdles can lead to the disqualification of an athlete. However, overturning the hurdles accidentally is not considered to be an offence.
The athlete not finishing the race is not given any credit.
An athlete found to obstruct his competitors' way during the race can be disqualified from the competition.
An athlete stepping out of the track during the race is not allowed to join his competitors.
Only the automatic timing device permitted by the organizing committee can be used for measuring the time during the races.
Medal Winners in the 200 meter Hurdles: Alvin Kraenzlein, Harry Hillman, Norman Pritchard, Frank Castleman, John Tewksbury and George Poage are the athletes who won medals at the Olympic 200 meter hurdle competitions in 1900 and 1904.
