ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A baffling sound system attached to the starter's gun left sprinters and hurdlers bewildered, angry as well as eliminated at the globe indoor championships on Friday.
"It was fairly nerve racking," stated British sprinter Dwain Chambers. "You could hardly hear something from the speaker, which produced it very difficult."
Among the casualties were Jamaican 60 metres contender Lerone Clarke and American Kristi Castlin, the year's fastest women's 60 metres hurdler.
"Nobody can hear it beats pro," an upset Clarke told Reuters after a slow reaction time as he waited for the sound from the beginning gun left him a non-qualifying 34th in the 60 metres.
Other athletes, which includes Australian world athlete from the year Sally Pearson, stated they frequently heard a "double sound" from the starter's gun dr dre headphones, prompting uncertainty on how to react.
"It sounds like you will find two guns going off all of the time," Pearson told Reuters after operating an area record 7.85 seconds in her first 60 metres hurdles in three years. "I am just glad I reacted to the initial sound I heard."
An International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) spokesman said the world governing body was examining the issue.
"There is no problem with the equipment," Yannis Nikolaou said. "They have checked it."
Some athletes blamed the acoustics from the new arena for the issue.
"Some individuals hear the very first sound and some hear it later beats by dre studio," said Jamaican Nesta Carter, who qualified for the 60 metres semi-finals.
But using the threat of disqualification for a false begin, sprinters had been taking no opportunity.
American Trell Kimmons monster beats, the year's fastest 60 metres man, said he had delayed his start just to be on the safe side.
"I heard two sounds, but I wasn't going to begin till everyone else started monster headphones," Kimmons said. "There might happen to be 3 guns."
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