Ryan Ginstrom wrote:

> "Rob Cook" <rcook@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:2omslaFci60mU1@uni-berlin.de...
> > Several new rules intended to speed things up such as allowing competitors
> > to continue with the joi out were implemented at the last world champs.
> > Shortened hold down time, faster warnings for delaying tactics,
> > disqualification for refusal to attack, allowing the ref to change a call
> > without conferencing etc.
>
> I have to say that I really like the new rules. It used to be, one player
> would get some cheap-assed koka, then spend the next 4 minutes stalling. The
> new rules make this impossible, while still allowing for grip fighting and
> matwork.

A few years ago, probably before the Sydney Olympics, I read the Japanese
complaint that Europeans (in addition to having earlier introduced using gi
other than white and attempting to win on yuko points instead of being more
risky and aggressive like Japanese) had widened the lapel of the gi and also
thickened the material considerably, allegedly in order to make it harder for
Japanese, who preferred attempts at ippon to grab and hold.

While I have seen some that looked like that on TV before, I have not noticed
any gi like that in photos of this Olympics. I can't tell if the mats are the
newer, allegedly more slippery type that were used in Sydney, either.

Has any rule been introduced or changed?