First for athletics as entire field in 400m heat is disqualified
Every athlete in the third 400m heat in Birmingham, including two medal hopefuls, was disqualified in a first for athletics.
History was made at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham on Friday when every athlete in a single race was disqualified.
The disqualification of the five athletes in the third heat of the men's 400 metres represented a first in athletics, according to IAAF statistician Mark Butler.
Qatar's Abdalelah Haroun, who claimed the silver medal in Portland two years ago and won bronze in last year's outdoor Worlds in London, was shown a red card after jumping the start gun by some distance.
Following a restart, world leader Bralon Taplin won the heat and was followed across the line by Austris Karpinskis, seemingly earning them a place in the next round.
However, Taplin and Karpinskis, as well as the other two runners Alonzo Russell and Steven Gayle, had their times wiped off for prematurely stepping out of their lanes.
The competitors will be able to appeal the decision.