feet in the long jump event.

However, the most widely recommended technique

prescribes landing on both feet.

What is a breakline violation in track?

A breakline violation occurs when a runner breaks from their initial lane to an inside lane
too early. In middle and long-distance events (for example, the 800m), the breakline is
the point at which runners may cross from their initial lane to the inside lane. Generally,
the breakline is after the first turn (in the 800m, it’s 100m into the race). So, when an
athlete makes this move too early, they are disqualified.

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Track and field 101: Olympic rules and regulations

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NBC Olympics

Feb. 26, 2024 9:49 am ET

(Updated: Feb. 26, 2024 6:25 pm ET)

DOHA, QATAR - OCTOBER 06: USA's Sydney McLaughlin hands the baton to Dalilah Muhammad in the Women's
4x400m relay race final during the 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 on October 06, 2019 in Doha,
Qatar.

Serhat Cagdas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

What are the rules for hurdles and sprints?

Start: Starting blocks are used for all hurdle, relay and sprint events. The starting
blocks consist of two adjustable footplates attached to a rigid frame. Olympic
hurdle and sprint races commence with the firing of the starting pistol. The starting
commands are "On your marks" and "Set." Once all athletes are in the set position,
the starting pistol is fired, officially starting the race. For the 100m, women's 100m
hurdles and men's 110m hurdles, all competitors are lined up side-by-side. For the
200m, 400m and 400m hurdles, which involve curves, runners are staggered for
the start.
False Starts: If a sprinter commences his or her starting motion from the set
position before the starting pistol is fired, it is deemed a false start. The first false
start of a race results in an automatic disqualification to the offending runner.
Lanes: For all Olympic sprint and hurdle events, runners must remain within their
pre-assigned lanes, which measure 1.22 meters (4 feet) wide, from start to finish.
The lanes are numbered 1 through 8, starting with the inside lane. Any athlete who
runs outside the assigned lane is subject to disqualification. If the athlete is forced
to run outside his or her lane by another person, and no material advantage is
gained, there will be no disqualification. Also, a runner who strays from his or her
lane in the straightaway, or crosses the outer line of his or her lane on the bend, and
gains no advantage by it, will not be disqualified as long as no other runner is
obstructed.
The finish: The first athlete whose torso (as distinguished from the head, neck,
arms, legs, hands or feet) reaches the vertical plane of the closest edge of the finish
line is the winner.
Negotiating hurdles: Any competitor who trails a foot or leg below the horizontal
plane of the top of any hurdle at the instant of clearance will be disqualified.

What are the rules for middle-distance events?

Start: With all individual races 800m and longer, there are no starting blocks.
Runners begin in an upright position and their hands are prohibited from touching
the ground. The starting command for these races is "On your marks." Once all
athletes are at the mark, the starting pistol is fired, officially starting the race. An
800m race is comprised of eight runners, and each in his or her own lane for the
staggered start. In the 1500m and steeplechase, which have up to 12 runners, a
group start is used.
Lanes: In the 800m, all runners must stay within their assigned lanes through the
first turn, after which they break for position to the inside lane. This point is called
the breakline, which is the mark at which runners may cut into other lanes.
In the 1500m and steeplechase, there are no lane assignments and runners jockey
for position from the start.
Negotiating barriers: In the steeplechase, any competitor who steps to the side of
a jump or trails his foot or leg alongside any barrier will be disqualified. Athletes
may go over the barriers in any way, as long as no part of the foot or leg falls
below the horizontal plane of the top bar at the instance of clearance.

What are the rules for long-distance events?

Start: In Olympic distance events, there are no starting blocks. Runners begin in
an upright position and their hands are prohibited from touching the ground. The
starting command for these races is "On your marks." Once all athletes are at the
mark, the starting pistol is fired, officially starting the race. Distance races begin
with mass starts. When there are more than 12 competitors in a race, they can be
split into two staggered groups for the start: one with roughly 65% of the runners
on the regular start line, another with the other runners on a separate start line
across the track's outer half. The latter group runs on the outer half until clearing
the first bend.
Lanes: In Olympic distance races, there are no lane assignments so runners can
break for position from the start.

What are the rules for race walking?

Definition: Race walking is a progression of steps so taken that the walker makes
constant contact with the ground. The advancing leg shall be straightened from the
moment of the first contact with the ground until the vertical upright position.
Judges: There are six to nine judges for each Olympic race-walk event. Athletes
are given warnings by the judges when they violate the definition of race walking
by exhibiting a visible loss of contact or a bent knee. Warnings from three different
judges results in disqualification. Competitors must retire from the race if ordered
to do so by a member of the official medical staff. A competitor may leave the
course with the permission of a race judge, as long as it doesn't result in the
shortening of the race distance.

What are the rules for jumping events?

High jump: Athletes must take off from one foot. A failed attempt occurs when
the crossbar does not remain on the supports after the jump because it was touched
by the athlete.
Pole vault: Athletes are allowed to place a substance on their hands or the pole to
obtain a better grip, but are not permitted to use tape on their hands or fingers
except to cover an open wound. Athletes may use their own poles during
competition. The poles may be made of any material and can be of any length and
diameter. If the pole is broken during the attempt, it isn't considered a failure and
the vaulter gets another attempt.
A failed attempt occurs when:
• The bar does not remain on the pegs after the vault because it was touched
by the athlete.
 • The athlete moves his lower hand above the upper one or moves the upper
hand higher on the pole once he has left the ground.
• The athlete steadies or replaces the bar during the vault.
Long jump: All jumps are measured from the take-off line to the nearest break in
the landing area made by any part of the body.
A failed attempt occurs when:
• The athlete touches the ground beyond the take-off line upon executing the
jump; the take-off line is the edge of the take-off board (roughly 8 inches
wide) closest to the landing pit.
• The athlete takes off from outside either end of the take-off board.
• In the course of landing, he touches the ground outside the landing area
closer to the take-off line than the nearest break made in the sand.
Triple jump: The triple jump consists of a hop, a step and a jump, in that order.
The hop is made so that the athlete lands on the same foot from which he or she
has taken off. In the step, the athlete lands on the other foot from which the jump is
performed. It is not considered a failure if, while jumping, the athlete touches the
ground with the non-jumping or "sleeping" leg. Failed attempts occur as described
in "Long jump" above.

What are the rules for throwing events?

Implements: All implements used in Olympic competition must meet the exact
specifications set forth by the International Association of Athletics Federations
(IAAF). No modification to any implement is allowed during competition. No
device used to assist an athlete when making an attempt is allowed. This includes
the taping of fingers together. The use of tape on the hands is only permitted to
cover an open cut or wound. Use of gloves is not permitted except in the hammer
throw event.
Throws: The shot, discus and hammer are all thrown from the throwing circle. The
javelin is thrown from a runway. If the athlete steps out of the throwing circle or
runway during the act of throwing, the throw is considered a failed attempt. A
valid throw must fall completely within the marked landing area. The athlete must
not leave the circle or runway until the implement has touched the ground.

What are the rules for combined events?

For the most part, the IAAF rules that govern the individual track and field events
apply to the corresponding events in the decathlon and heptathlon.
Exceptions:
• In the long jump and throwing events (shot put, discus, javelin),
competitors are allowed three attempts only.
• In track events, a false start is assigned only to the athlete who committed
it, and disqualification only occurs when the same athlete false starts twice.

Frequently asked questions about Olympic track and field

rules
How do you get disqualified from long jump?
An athlete in long jump is deemed to have "failed" the jump if:
• While taking off, they break the vertical plane of the take-off line with any
part of their foot or shoe.
• The jumper takes off from outside either end of the board, whether beyond
or before the extension of the take-off line.
• They employ any form of somersaulting while running up or in the act of
jumping.
• The athlete touches the runway or the ground outside the runway or outside
the landing area after taking off, but before their first contact with the landing
area
• They touch the border of, or the ground outside, the landing area closer to
the take-off line than the nearest break made in the sand
Do you have to land on two feet in long jump?
No, an athlete does not need to land on two feet in the long jump event. However,
the most widely recommended technique prescribes landing on both feet.
What is a breakline violation in track?
A breakline violation occurs when a runner breaks from their initial lane to an
inside lane too early. In middle and long-distance events (for example, the 800m),
the breakline is the point at which runners may cross from their initial lane to the
inside lane. Generally, the breakline is after the first turn (in the 800m, it's 100m
into the race). So, when an athlete makes this move too early, they are disqualified.

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