In track and field, a relay race is an event that highlights the power of the team game above individual achievements. It is one race where each of the members contributes to the performance while also covering up each other’s shortcomings making it an appealing event. It usually consists of four legs and each of them is run by different members. The athlete finishing one leg is supposed to pass a baton to the next athlete. This track and field sport has recently witnessed a never-seen trick.

This trick has stunned every track enthusiast as they haven’t come across this trick before in a relay race. However, no matter how amusing it looks, some questions are also raised about this move. Let’s take a look.

An unseen move by a track and field athlete in a relay race 

The MileSplit US took to their X account and shared a clip of the relay event from Robert J Burdette Indoor Classic 2024. The caption reads, “This is the most insane baton exchange we’ve ever seen”. The clip starts with the part where the first athlete has to pass the baton to the other. However, one among them fails to pass it to his counterpart, so he keeps running and throws it directly into the hands of his partner. This was an insane moment in the history of track and field. 

However, as amusing as it looks, it is also a questionable move. There are multiple rules and regulations for all the track and field events and the relay has some too. Keeping those rules in consideration, this move can also be considered illegal in a lot of places. 

The rule of passing the baton in the relay race 

Just like the other track and field events it also comes with a set of its own rules. The crucial part of this race is to pass the baton to another team member to continue the race. One of the most prominent rules regarding passing the baton is that it must be passed from hand to hand. It cannot be thrown or tossed to another athlete. 

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However, this decision also depends upon the governing body that is judging the race. But the main way of executing the baton pass is just shifting it from one hand to another and no other trick. Apart from that, several other rules need to be kept in mind like, false starting, and stopping another competitor from passing the baton among others. Nevertheless, the recent race remains etched as one of its kind.

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