Section 2: Equipment
2.1 Implements – Throws
All throwing implements must be approved by World Athletics and appear on the official Approved Implements List. Specifications are set out in Technical Rule 33 (Shot Put), Technical Rule 34 (Discus), Technical Rule 36 (Hammer), and Technical Rule 38 (Javelin) (Technical Rule 32).
Shot Put (Technical Rule 33)
- Men (Senior/U20): Weight 7.260 kg (16 lb), minimum diameter 110 mm, maximum diameter 130 mm.
- Women (Senior/U20): Weight 4.000 kg (8 lb 13 oz), minimum diameter 95 mm, maximum diameter 110 mm.
- U18 Men: 6.000 kg; U18 Women: 3.000 kg (Technical Rule 33).
- The shot shall be made of solid iron, brass, or any metal not softer than brass, or a shell of such metal filled with lead or other material (Technical Rule 33).
- Surface finish shall be smooth (maximum roughness Ra 1.6 µm).
Discus (Technical Rule 34)
- Men (Senior/U20): Weight 2.000 kg, diameter 219–221 mm.
- Women (Senior/U20): Weight 1.000 kg, diameter 180–182 mm.
- U18 Men: 1.500 kg; U18 Women: 1.000 kg (Technical Rule 34).
- The discus shall consist of a metal rim and two identical sides, constructed of wood, plastic, fibreglass, or carbon fibre. Rim edges shall be smooth and rounded (Technical Rule 34).
Hammer (Technical Rule 36)
- Men (Senior/U20): Weight 7.260 kg, overall length 117.5–121.5 cm.
- Women (Senior/U20): Weight 4.000 kg, overall length 116.5–119.5 cm.
- The hammer consists of three parts: a metal head (sphere), a steel wire, and a handle. The head shall be made of solid iron or other metal not softer than brass, or of a shell filled with lead or other material (Technical Rule 36).
- Handle: a single loop of spring steel wire, minimum diameter 3 mm. The grip shall be rigid and without springs (Technical Rule 36).
Javelin (Technical Rule 38)
- Men (Senior/U20): Weight 800 g, overall length 2.600–2.700 m, metal tip minimum 25 mm penetration.
- Women (Senior/U20): Weight 600 g, overall length 2.200–2.300 m.
- U18 Men: 700 g, 2.300–2.400 m; U18 Women: 500 g, 2.000–2.100 m (Technical Rule 38).
- The javelin shall be constructed of metal or other suitable material. The binding grip covers the centre of gravity and must be between 150 mm and 160 mm wide (men), or 140 mm and 150 mm wide (women) (Technical Rule 38).
2.2 Hurdles (Technical Rule 22)
Hurdles shall be made of metal or other suitable material with a wooden or plastic top bar. The maximum weight is 10 kg. The hurdle must be constructed so that a force of at least 3.6 kg applied horizontally to the centre of the top edge of the top bar is required to overturn it. Heights by event:
- Men 110m Hurdles (Senior/U20): 1.067 m (3 ft 6 in).
- Men 400m Hurdles (Senior/U20): 0.914 m (3 ft).
- Women 100m Hurdles (Senior/U20): 0.838 m (2 ft 9 in).
- Women 400m Hurdles (Senior/U20): 0.762 m (2 ft 6 in).
- U18 Boys 110m Hurdles: 0.991 m; U18 Girls 100m Hurdles: 0.762 m (Technical Rule 22).
2.3 Vaulting Pole (Technical Rule 28)
The vaulting pole may be made of any material or combination of materials and of any length or diameter. The surface may be smooth or have a wrapping of adhesive tape in a single layer over the entire length or part of the pole (Technical Rule 28).
2.4 Relay Baton (Technical Rule 24)
The baton shall be a smooth hollow tube made of wood, metal, or other rigid material. It must be circular in cross-section; length 28–30 cm, circumference 12–13 cm, weight at least 50 g (Technical Rule 24).
2.5 Steeplechase Barriers and Water Jump (Technical Rule 23)
- Barrier height (men): 0.914 m; (women): 0.762 m (Technical Rule 23).
- Top bar cross-section: 127 mm × 127 mm, rounded corners radius 5–6 mm (Technical Rule 23).
- The water jump pit is 3.66 m × 3.66 m; maximum water depth at the barrier 0.70 m, sloping to 0 m at far end (Technical Rule 23).
2.6 Starting Blocks (Technical Rule 15)
Starting blocks shall be used for all races up to and including 400m (including the first leg of relays). Blocks must be constructed solely of rigid materials and must not provide any undue advantage. They must be fixed to the track surface using two pointed pegs. Starting blocks fitted with sensors for the False Start Detection System must be used in all World Athletics Series competitions (Technical Rule 15).
2.7 Athlete Shoes and Spikes (Technical Rule 5)
Shoes must not give an athlete any unfair assistance or advantage. The construction of shoes must not be altered during competition. From 1 January 2025, World Athletics requires that all athletics shoes used in competition at World Athletics Series events and Area Championships must appear on the World Athletics Approved Shoes List prior to competition. Sole thickness limits (effective 1 January 2025): Track events up to 400m including hurdles — maximum sole thickness 25 mm; 800m and above on track — 25 mm; field events (jumps, throws) — 20 mm (long jump, triple jump run-up shoe 25 mm). Spike pin length: maximum 9 mm for track events; maximum 12 mm for field events (cross country excepted).