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You know how much basketball officials hate being "uniform police?" I guarantee the track officials hate being uniform police at least 20 times more than you do.
What's the penalty in basketball if you miss an improper uniform? Force the coach to play a sub or take a timeout while the uni is corrected? Technical foul? (I really don't know)
In track, the penalty is disqualification from the event. Imagine telling a kid after his/her performance is complete, that it has been completely negated because they were wearing something improper. This would be like telling a basketball player that all of the points he/she scored in the game have been removed.
Because of this, it is essential for the clerk of course to scour every athlete for uniform and jewelry issues before they are sent to the starter, especially at a tournament meet like what was described. That said, this does not remove the responsibility of the athletes and coaches to know the rule and be in compliance. In fact, another rule requires that the referee verify with each coach, either verbally or in writing, that all of the athletes are in compliance with uniform, jewelry, and equipment rules.
As for when the violation was noticed, the post is a bit unclear and whether it was too late is hard to tell. By rule, the race is over when places have been determined and recorded by the head finish judge. After that, it's too late. The OP says it was noticed when they were given their medals, but some places give out the medals while they are still on the track, so it could have been before everything was recorded. If they were getting on a podium to get their awards several minutes after the race when the tights were brought to the attention of the officials, they probably should not have been disqualified.
The "advantage" issue has been brought up by thousands of parents and coaches for many, many years. I'm not going to argue the merit of the rule, but it is the rule. The uniform rule is one of my least favorite because the penalty does seem to be quite stiff. But, if you are a coach and you know that the penalty is so stiff, don't you go to great lengths to make sure all your athletes are in compliance before they get to a Regional meet?
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