CEO says USATF ruling stifles innovation in athletic footwear

El Paso, Texas (March 1, 2004) -- Spira Footwear, announced today that it will appeal a ruling that bans its shoes for use in track meets governed by the USA Track & Field.

USATF, the governing body of track and field in the U.S., recently outlawed for competition Spira's shoes and its patented WaveSpring technology. The WaveSpring is a laterally stable, compact and lightweight spring that can be incorporated into the heel and/or forefoot of the shoe providing both extraordinary cushioning and energy return.

USATF rule 71(3) (a) says in part that "the purpose of shoes for competition is to give protection and stability to the feet and a firm grip to the ground. Such shoes, however, must not be constructed so as to give the competitor any additional assistance, and no spring or device of any kind may be incorporated in the shoes."

"We will be petitioning the USATF for a rule change," said Spira president Andrew Krafsur. "While we agree that the proper interpretation of the rule would prohibit use of shoes incorporating our WaveSpring technology for competition, we hope that the USATF would reconsider the rule in light of technological advances. So long as our shoes are widely distributed and available to all competitors, there should be no prohibition against their use."

"In the pole vault, for example, USATF has not restricted competitors to bamboo or steel poles as would have been used a half-century ago," Krafsur added. "Technology has advanced, and so have the limits of what constitutes acceptable materials. It's the same thing with this technology. Why discourage innovation?"

Using WaveSpring technology, users expend less energy, are less fatigued, and are less prone to injury than with shoes utilizing traditional mid-sole materials, Krafsur said. Because the spring system is mechanical, it won't break down and will actually outlast the shoe. The user has a "new shoe feel" for the life of the shoe.

Krafsur likens the development of the WaveSpring technology to advances in other sports. "This is a lot like the change from wood to composite metal skis, from the small wooden tennis racquets to the oversized, composite version, and from wood to metal drivers in golf. This natural progression is common in a society that thrives on technological advancements," he said.

For more information, check out www.spirafootwear.com.