DIVISION IV
TECHNICAL RULES FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS
RULE 101 - General
All international competitions, as defined in Rule 1, shall be held under the Rules of the IAAF and this shall be stated in all announcements, advertisements, programmes and printed material.
Note: It is recommended that Members adopt the Rules of the IAAF for the conduct of their own athletic competitions.
SECTION I - OFFICIALS
This section contains:
RULE 110 - International Officials
RULE 111 - Organisational Delegates
RULE 112 - Technical Delegates
RULE 113 - Medical Delegate
RULE 114 - Doping Control Delegate
RULE 115 - International Technical Officials
RULE 116 - International Race Walking Judges
RULE 117 - International Photo Finish Judge
RULE 118 - Jury of Appeal
RULE 119 - Officials of the Meeting
RULE 120 - Competition Director
RULE 121 - Meeting Manager
RULE 122 - Technical Manager
RULE 123 - Call Room Manager
RULE 124 - Referees
RULE 125 - Judges
RULE 126 - Umpires (Running and Race Walking Events)
RULE 127 - Timekeepers and Photo Finish Judges
RULE 128 - Starter and Recallers
RULE 129 - Starter's Assistants
RULE 130 - Lap Scorers
RULE 131 - Competition Secretary
RULE 132 - Marshal
RULE 133 - Announcer
RULE 134 - Official Surveyor
RULE 135 - Wind Gauge Operator
RULE 136 - Measurement Judge (Electronics)
RULE 137 - Call Room Judges
RULE 138 - Advertising Commissioner
RULE 110 - International Officials
At competitions organised under Rule 12.1(a) and (b), the following officials should be appointed internationally:
(i) Organisational Delegate(s)
(ii) Technical Delegate(s)
(iii) Medical Delegate
(iv) Doping Control Delegate
(v) International Technical Officials/Area Technical Officials
(vi) International Race Walking Judges/Area Race Walking Judges
(vii) International Photo Finish Judge
(viii) Jury of Appeal
The number of officials appointed in each category shall be indicated in the current IAAF Competition Regulations.
At competitions organised under Rule 12.1(a):
The selection of persons under (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (viii) is made by the IAAF Council.
The selection of persons under (v) is made by the IAAF Council from members of the IAAF Panel of International Technical Officials. The selection of persons under (vi) is made by the IAAF Council from members of the IAAF Panel of International Race Walking Judges. The selection of persons under (vii) is made by the IAAF Technical Delegate(s).
The IAAF Council shall approve criteria of selection, qualification and duties of the above-mentioned officials. IAAF Members shall have the right to suggest suitably qualified persons for selection.
At competitions organised under Rule 12.1(b) these persons will be selected by the relevant Area Associations. In the case of the Area Technical Officials and Area Race Walking Judges, the selection is made by the relevant Area Association from their own list of Area Technical Officials and Area Race Walking Judges.
For competitions organised under Rule 12.1(a) and (f), IAAF may appoint an Advertising Commissioner. For competitions under Rule 12.1(b), (d) and (g), any such appointments will be made by the relevant Area Association, for competitions under Rule 12.1(c) by the relevant body, and for competition under 12.1(e) and (h), by the relevant IAAF Member.
Note: The International Officials should wear distinctive attire.
RULE 111 - Organisational Delegates
The Organisational Delegates shall maintain close liaison with the Organising Committee at all times and report regularly to the IAAF Council, and they shall deal as necessary with matters concerning duties and financial responsibilities of the Organising Member and the Organising Committee. They shall cooperate with the Technical Delegate(s).
RULE 112 - Technical Delegates
The Technical Delegates, in conjunction with the Organising Committee, which shall afford them all necessary help, are responsible for ensuring that all technical arrangements are in complete conformity with IAAF Technical Rules.
The Technical Delegates shall submit to the appropriate body proposals for the timetable of events, the entry standards, and implements to be used and shall determine the qualifying standards for the field events, and the basis on which heats and qualifying rounds shall be drawn for track events.
They shall ensure that the Technical Regulations are issued to all competing Members in good time before the competition. The Technical Delegates are responsible for all other technical preparations necessary for the holding of the athletic events.
They shall control the entries and have the right to reject them for technical reasons or in accordance with the Rule 146.1. (Rejection for reasons other than technical must result from a ruling of the appropriate IAAF or Area Council.)
They shall arrange heats and qualifying rounds and the groups for the combined competitions.
The Technical Delegates shall submit written reports as appropriate on the preparations for the competition.
They shall cooperate with the Organisational Delegate(s).
In competition under Rules 12.1 (a), (b), (c), the Technical Delegates shall chair the Technical Meeting and shall brief the Technical Officials.
RULE 113 - Medical Delegate
The Medical Delegate shall have ultimate authority on all medical matters. He/She shall ensure that adequate facilities for medical examination, treatment and emergency care will be available at the site of the competition and that medical attention can be provided where athletes are accommodated. The Medical Delegate shall also have the authority to arrange for the determination of the gender of a competitor should he judge that to be desirable.
RULE 114 - Doping Control Delegate
The Doping Control Delegate shall liaise with the Organising Committee to ensure that suitable facilities are provided for the conduct of doping control. He shall be responsible for all matters relating to doping control.
RULE 115 - International Technical Officials
The Technical Delegates shall appoint one Chief ITO among the appointed ITOs, if one was not appointed previously.
Whenever possible, the Chief ITO shall assign at least one ITO for every event on the programme. The International Technical Official shall provide all necessary support to the Referee of the event. They must be present at all times when an event, to which they have been assigned, is in progress and should ensure that the conduct of the competition is in full conformity with IAAF Technical Rules, Competition Regulations and eventual relevant decisions made by the
Technical Delegates.
If a problem arises or if they observe any matter, which in their opinion requires comment, they should, in the first instance, bring it to the attention of the Chief Judge or Referee of the event and if necessary, offer advice as to what should be done. If the advice is not accepted and if there is a clear infringement of the IAAF Technical Rules, Competition Regulations or decisions made by the Technical Delegates, the ITO shall decide. If the matter is still not resolved it shall be referred to the IAAF Technical Delegate(s).
At the conclusion of field events they shall also sign the result-cards.
Note 1: In competitions organised under Rule 12.1 (b) and (d), the above shall also apply to the appointed Area Technical Officials.
Note 2: In the absence of the Referee, the ITO shall work with the relevant Chief Judge.
RULE 116 - International Race Walking Judges
A Panel of International Race Walking Judges shall be established by the IAAF Race Walking Committee using criteria approved by the IAAF Council.
Race Walking Judges appointed for all Rule 12.1(a) international meetings must be members of the Panel of International Race Walking Judges.
Note: Race Walking Judges appointed for Competitions under Rule 12.1 (b) to (d) meetings shall be members either of the Panel of International Race Walking Judges or one of the Panels of Area Race Walking Judges.
RULE 117 - International Photo Finish Judge
At all competitions under Rule 12.1 (a) and (b), an International Photo Finish Judge, appointed respectively by IAAF or the relevant Area Association, shall supervise all Photo Finish functions.
RULE 118 - Jury of Appeal
At all competitions organised under Rule 12.1 (a), (b) and (c), a Jury of Appeal, which should normally consist of three, five or seven persons shall be appointed. One of its members shall be the Chairman and another the Secretary. If and when considered as appropriate, the Secretary may be a person not included in the Jury.
Furthermore, a Jury should likewise be appointed at other meetings where the organisers deem it desirable or necessary in the interest of the proper conduct of the competitions.
The primary functions of the Jury shall be to deal with all protests under Rule 146, and with any matters arising during the course of the meeting which are referred to it for decision. Its decision shall be final. It may, however, reconsider decisions if new conclusive evidence is presented provided the new decision is still applicable.
Decisions involving points, which are not covered by the Rules, shall be reported subsequently by the Chairman of the Jury to the General Secretary of the IAAF.
RULE 119 - Officials of the Meeting
The Organising Committee of a meeting shall appoint all officials, subject to the Rules of the Member in whose country the meeting is held and, in the case of competitions under Rule 12.1 (a), (b) and (c), subject to the Rules and procedures of the appropriate international organisation.
The following list comprises the officials considered necessary for major international meetings. The Organising Committee may, however, vary this according to local circumstances.
MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS
- One Competition Director
- One Meeting Manager
- One Technical Manager
- One Call Room Manager
COMPETITION OFFICIALS
- One (or more) Referee for Track Events
- One (or more) Referee for Field Events
- One (or more) Referee for Combined Events
- One (or more) Referee for events outside the Stadium
- One Chief Judge and an adequate number of Judges for Track Events
- One Chief Judge and an adequate number of Judges for each Field Event
- One Chief Judge and five Judges for each Race Walking Event inside stadia
- One Chief Judge and eight Judges for each Race Walking Event outside stadia
- Other Race Walking Competition officials, as necessary, including recorders, warning posting board operators, etc.
- One Chief Umpire and an adequate number of Umpires
- One Chief Timekeeper and an adequate number of Timekeepers
- One Starter and an adequate number of Recallers
- One (or more) Starter's Assistant
- One Chief and an adequate number of Lap Scorers
- One Competition Secretary and an adequate number of assistants
- One (or more) Marshal
- One (or more) Wind Gauge Operator
- One Chief Photo Finish Judge and an adequate number of Assistant Photo Finish Judges
- One (or more) Measurement Judge (Electronics)
- An adequate number of Call Room Judges
ADDITIONAL OFFICIALS
- One (or more) Announcer
- One (or more) Statistician
- One Advertising Commissioner
- One Official Surveyor
- One (or more) Doctor
- Stewards for Competitors, Officials and Press
Referees and Chief Judges should wear a distinctive armband or badge.
If deemed necessary, assistants may be appointed. Care should however be taken to keep the arena as free from officials as possible.
Where women's events are held, a woman doctor shall be appointed when possible.
RULE 120 - Competition Director
The Competition Director shall plan the technical organisation of a competition in cooperation with the Technical Delegate(s), where applicable, ensure that this plan is accomplished and resolve any technical problems together with the Technical Delegate(s).
He shall direct the interaction between the participants in the competition and, through the communication system, shall be in contact with all the officials.
RULE 121 - Meeting Manager
The Manager shall be responsible for the correct conduct of the Meeting.
He shall check that all officials have reported for duty, appoint substitutes when necessary and shall have authority to remove from duty any official who is not abiding by the Rules. In cooperation with the appointed Marshal, he shall arrange that only authorised persons are allowed in the centre of the arena.
Note: For meetings of longer than four hours or over more than one day, it is recommended that the Manager has an adequate number of Assistant Managers.
RULE 122 - Technical Manager
The Technical Manager shall be responsible for ensuring that the track, runways, circles, arcs, sectors, landing areas for field events and all equipment and implements are in accordance with IAAF Rules.
RULE 123 - Call Room Manager
With the collaboration of the Judge(s) in charge of the call room he shall supervise the transit between the warm-up area and the competition area to ensure that the athletes after being checked in the call room be present and ready infield for the scheduled start of their event.
RULE 124 - Referees
1. A separate Referee shall be appointed for track events, for field events, for Combined Events and for running and Race Walking events outside the stadium.
The Referee for track events and for events outside the stadium shall have no jurisdiction over matters within the responsibilities of the Chief Judge of Race Walking events.
2. Referees shall ensure that the Rules are observed and shall decide upon any matters which arise during the meeting and for which provision has not been made in these Rules.
The respective Referee for track events and for events outside the stadium shall have jurisdiction to decide placings in a race only when the Judges of the disputed place(s) are unable to arrive at a decision. The Referee shall not act as a Judge or Umpire.
3. The appropriate Referee shall check all final results, shall deal with any disputed points and where there is no Measurement Judge (electronics), shall supervise the measurements of record performances.
4. The appropriate Referee shall rule on any protest or objection regarding the conduct of the competition. He shall have authority to warn or exclude from competition, any competitor guilty of improper conduct.
Warnings may be indicated to the athlete by showing a yellow card, exclusion by showing a red card. Warnings and exclusions shall be entered on the results card.
5. If, in the opinion of the appropriate Referee, circumstances arise at any meeting such that justice demands that any event should be contested again, he shall have authority to declare the event void and it shall be held again, either on the same day or on some future occasion, as he shall decide.
6. At the conclusion of each event, the results card shall be completed immediately, signed by the appropriate Referee and handed to the Competition Secretary.
7. The Combined Events Referee shall have jurisdiction over the conduct of the Combined Events competition. He shall also have jurisdiction over the conduct of the respective individual events within the Combined Events competition.
RULE 125 - Judges
General
1. The Chief Judge for track events and the Chief Judge for each field event shall co-ordinate the work of the judges in their respective event. When the relevant body has not already allocated the duties of the Judges, they shall allocate the duties.
Track Events and Road Events finishing on the Track
2. The Judges, who must all operate from the same side of the track, shall decide the order in which the competitors finish and, in any case where they cannot arrive at a decision, shall refer the matter to the Referee, who shall decide.
Note: The Judges should be placed at least 5m from, and in line with, the finish and should be provided with an elevated platform.
Field Events
3. The Judges shall judge and record each trial and measure each valid trial of the competitors in all field events. In the high jump and pole vault, precise measurements should be made when the bar is raised, particularly if records are being attempted. At least two Judges should keep a record of all trials, checking their recordings at the end of each round.
The appropriate Judge shall indicate the validity or non-validity of a trial by raising a white or red flag, as appropriate.
RULE 126 - Umpires (Running and Race Walking Events)
1. Umpires are assistants to the Referee, without authority to make final decisions.
2. The Umpire shall be placed by the Referee in such a position that he may observe the competition closely and, in the case of a foul or violation of the Rules (other than Rule 230.1) by a competitor or other person, make an immediate written report of the incident to the Referee.
3. Any such breach of the Rules should be indicated by the raising of a yellow flag.
4. A sufficient number of Umpires shall also be appointed to supervise the take-over zones in relay races.
Note: When an Umpire observes that a runner has run in a different lane from his own, or that a relay changeover has taken place outside the take-over zone, he should immediately mark on the track with suitable material the place where the infringement took place.
RULE 127 - Timekeepers and Photo Finish Judges
1. In the case of hand timing, a sufficient number of timekeepers for the number of competitors entered shall be appointed, one of whom shall be designated the Chief Timekeeper. He shall allocate duties to the Timekeepers. These Timekeepers shall act as back-up Timekeepers when fully Automatic Photo Finish equipment is in use.
2. Timekeepers shall act in accordance with Rule 165.
3. When fully Automatic Photo Finish equipment is used, a Chief Photo Finish Judge and at least two Assistant Photo Finish Judges shall be appointed.
RULE 128 - Starter and Recallers
1. The Starter shall have entire control of the competitors on their marks. When a false start control apparatus is used, the Starter and/or an assigned Recaller shall wear headphones in order to hear clearly any acoustic signal emitted in the case of a false start (see Rule 161.2).
Before the start signal is given, the Starter shall ascertain that the Timekeepers, the Judges and, when applicable, the Chief Photo Finish Judge and the Wind Gauge Operator are ready.
2. The Starter shall position himself so that he has full visual control over all runners during the start procedure.
It is recommended, especially for staggered starts, that loudspeakers in the individual lanes are used for relaying the commands to the runners.
Note: The Starter should place himself so that the whole field of runners falls into a narrow visual angle. For races using crouch starts it is necessary that he is so placed that he can ascertain that all runners are currently steady in their set positions before the gun or approved starting apparatus is fired. Where loudspeakers are not used in races with a staggered start, the Starter shall so place himself that the distance between him and each of the competitors is approximately the same. Where, however, the Starter cannot place himself in such a position, the gun, or approved starting apparatus, should be placed there and discharged by electric contact.
3. One or more Recallers shall be provided to assist the Starter.
Note: For events of 200m, 400m, 400m Hurdles, 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m Relays, there shall be at least two Recallers.
4. Each Recaller shall place himself so that he can see each competitor assigned to him.
5. The warning and disqualification referred to in Rule 162.7 & 8 may be applied only by the Starter.
6. The Starter shall assign a specific task and position to each Recaller, who is obliged to recall (see also Rule 161.2 & 162.8) the race if any fault is observed. After a recalled or aborted start the Recaller shall report his observations to the Starter who decides whether and to whom a warning shall be issued.
7. To assist in races using crouch starts a false start control apparatus as described in Rule 161.2 should be used.
RULE 129 - Starter's Assistants
1. The Starter's Assistants shall check that the competitors are competing in the correct heat or race and that their number bibs are worn correctly. Stations in events at all distances shall be numbered from left to right, facing the direction of running.
2. They must place each competitor in his correct lane or station, assembling the competitors approximately 3m behind the start line (in the case of races started in echelon, similarly behind each start line). When this has been completed, they shall signal to the Starter that all is ready. When a new start is ordered, the Starter's Assistants shall assemble the competitors again.
3. The Starter's Assistants shall be responsible for the readiness of batons for the first runners in a relay race.
4. When the Starter has ordered the competitors to their marks, the Starter's Assistants must ensure that Rule 162.4 is observed.
RULE 130 - Lap Scorers
1. Lap Scorers shall keep a record of the laps completed by all competitors in races longer than 1500m. For races of 5000m and longer, and for Race Walking events, a number of Lap Scorers under the direction of the Referee shall be appointed and provided with lap scoring cards on which they shall record the times over each lap (as given to them by an Official Timekeeper) of the competitors for whom they are responsible. When such a system is used, no Lap Scorer should record more than four competitors (six for Race Walking events). Instead of manual lapscoring, a computerised system, which may involve a chip carried by each athlete, may be used.
2. One Lap Scorer shall be responsible for maintaining, at the finish line, a display of the laps remaining. The display shall be changed each lap when the leader enters the straight that ends at the finish line. In addition, manual indication shall be given, when appropriate, to competitors who have been, or are about to be, lapped.
The final lap shall be signalled to each competitor, usually by ringing a bell.
RULE 131 - Competition Secretary
The Competition Secretary shall collect the full results of each event, details of which shall be provided by the Referee, the Chief Timekeeper
or Chief Photo Finish Judge and the Wind-Gauge Operator. He shall immediately relay these details to the Announcer, record the results and convey the results card to the Competition Director.
Where a computerised result system is used the computer recorder at each field event site shall ensure that the full results of each event are entered into the computer system. The track results shall be input under the direction of the Chief Photo Finish Judge. The Announcer and the Competition Director shall have access to the results via a computer.
RULE 132 - Marshal
The Marshal shall have control of the arena and shall not allow any persons other than the officials and competitors assembled to compete to enter and remain therein.
RULE 133 - Announcer
The Announcer shall inform the public of the names and numbers of the competitors taking part in each event, and all relevant information such as the composition of the heats, lanes or stations drawn, and intermediate times. The result (placings, times, heights and distances) of each event should be announced at the earliest possible moment after receipt of the information.
At meetings held under Rule 12.1(a), the English and French language Announcers shall be appointed by the IAAF. Under the general direction of the Technical Delegates, these appointees shall be responsible for all matters of announcing protocol.
RULE 134 - Official Surveyor
The Official Surveyor shall check the accuracy of the markings and installations and shall furnish appropriate certificates to the Technical Manager before the meeting.
He shall be given full access to stadium plans and drawings and the latest measurement report for the purpose of this verification.
RULE 135 - Wind Gauge Operator
The Wind Gauge Operator shall ensure that the gauge is placed in accordance with Rule 163.9 (Track Events) & 184.5 (Field Events). He shall ascertain the velocity of the wind in the running direction in appropriate events and shall then record and sign the results obtained and communicate them to the Competition Secretary.
RULE 136 - Measurement Judge (Electronics)
A Measurement Judge shall be appointed when electronic distance measurement is to be used.
Before the start of the meeting, he will meet the technical staff involved and familiarise himself with the equipment.
Before the event he will supervise the positioning of the measuring instruments, taking account of the technical requirements given by the technical staff.
To ensure that the equipment is operating correctly, he shall, before and after the event, supervise a set of measurements to confirm agreement with results achieved using a calibrated certified steel tape. During the competition he shall remain in overall charge of the operation. He will report to the Field Events Referee to certify that the equipment is accurate.
RULE 137 - Call Room Judges
The Call Room Judges shall ensure that competitors are wearing the national or club uniform clothing officially approved by their National Governing Body, that the number bibs are worn correctly and correspond with start lists, that shoes, number and dimension of spikes, advertising on clothing and athletes' bags comply with IAAF Rules and Regulations and that non-authorised material cannot be taken into the arena.
RULE 138 - Advertising Commissioner
The Advertising Commissioner will supervise and apply the current IAAF Advertising Rules and Regulations.