Relay Teams

[bodeker]

Dont know much about athletics, but in the relay teams how can they change runners about in the semis and the final?
I am thinking about the race today where Usain Bolt was put in the final race but was not in the semi.

[fbg40]

Hi Bodeker
The teams can change participants "willy nilly" - all wrong I think. What about those countries that don't have enough team members to enable them to "save the best 'til last" ??
FBG40

[ichkeria]

It's a team event and as in all team events you can change your line-up according to the squad you have declared. All countries can have the same number of squad members so I don't see how that is unfair

[fbg40]

Just a matter of opinion.Would a F1 team be allowed to change either car or driver to gain an advantage ?
FBG40

[ichkeria]

In general if it's a fair advantage I don't see why not. That is the point of a team event: you pick whatever selection you judge is best equipped for the task at hand. But I know nothing about F1 so I can't comment on that in particular.

[bodeker]

Thanks for your replies, I personally think they should name a 4 person team and stick with it unless injury takes one out, but as I said I dont know much about it.

[Mattk]

"Would a F1 team be allowed to change either car or driver to gain an advantage ? "

Technically yes as they have test drivers so if they deem the number 1 is not performing they could swap him out but I don't think this is an apt comparison.
The relay team is more like a football team not fielding its strongest team in early round of cups for example as they simply don't need to in order to win. Come the final more often than not they do field the best.