{"id":9391,"date":"2025-09-08T08:39:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T08:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/9391\/"},"modified":"2025-09-08T08:39:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T08:39:08","slug":"hayden-wilde-says-it-was-an-honest-mistake-racing-in-unauthorised-prototype-shoes-elite-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/9391\/","title":{"rendered":"Hayden Wilde says it was ‘an honest mistake’ racing in unauthorised prototype shoes – Elite News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hayden Wilde<\/a> has taken full responsibility for wearing prototype shoes which were not yet authorised for competition when he raced last weekend.<\/p>\n

The Kiwi, silver medallist at the Olympics in Paris last year, has made a brilliant comeback following serious injury earlier this year when he was\u00a0hit by a truck while out riding in Japan<\/a>\u00a0in May.<\/p>\n

He won in his first race back at T100 London<\/a> and then repeated the feat last Saturday at T100 French Riviera<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That put him in pole position in the battle to be the T100 World Champion with three wins this year, two more than anyone else.<\/p>\n

And the following day on the Cote d\u2019Azur he attempted an incredible double by also racing WTCS French Riviera \u2013 but losing ground in the swim proved costly as he eventually finished 11th.<\/p>\n

A clip of him at the T100 race suggested he was wearing ASICS METASPEED RAY prototypes, which have been approved for use \u2013 but not until after 11th September 2025 under World Athletics\u2019 approval process as set out here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s my responsibility\u2019<\/p>\n

An email from ASICS on 1st August notified athletes to race only \u201cinline\u201d Metaspeed Sky\/Edge Tokyo models and that any prototype use could lead to disqualification.<\/p>\n

That didn\u2019t happen in France but it does raise questions in the future around potential shoe checks and subsequent action.<\/p>\n

And Wilde has now released a statement, explaining how the situation arose \u2013 saying it was \u201can honest mistake\u201d.<\/p>\n

Writing on Instagram<\/a>, he said: \u201cSince the start of the year, I\u2019ve been racing in the approved ASICS prototype shoes, including during my win at T100 London. To be clear, those prototypes were fully approved and listed with World Athletics as they are fully compliant with all technical regulatory requirements.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the weekend, however, I raced in the new METASPEED RAY, believing it was the same prototype I\u2019d been using all season. It was an honest mistake I only realised after the race.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile my partner ASICS emailed me in due time with instructions around the use of the METASPEED RAY and other shoes and prototypes, I misunderstood the message and didn\u2019t realise it applied to the shoes I raced in.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was my mistake. As a professional athlete, it\u2019s my responsibility to make sure the equipment I use is fully approved, and I take full accountability for not double-checking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking ahead<\/p>\n

Wilde continued: \u201cBoth the METASPEED RAY and my prototypes have the exact same technical specifications and meet World Athletics\u2019 technical requirements.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m grateful for my Team\u2019s support and I look forward to racing again at T100 Valencia.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll definitely be spending more time reading my emails.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HaydenHayden Wilde<\/a> wins T100 French Riviera 2025 [Photo credit: PTO]<\/p>\n

\t\t