Section 7: Violations & Penalties
7.1 False Start (Technical Rule 16)
Any athlete who commits a false start is given a warning (Yellow Card). The first false start per race is charged to the field collectively; thereafter, any individual false start results in disqualification of that athlete. Athletes are disqualified immediately for any individual false start if they were already warned in that race. Disqualified athletes must leave the competition area promptly (Technical Rule 16).
7.2 Lane Violation (Technical Rule 14)
In lane races, running outside the assigned lane on a bend, or stepping on or over the lane line on a bend, results in disqualification unless the athlete was clearly impeded by another runner or a non-track obstruction. In field events requiring a runway (jumps), touching the ground outside the defined runway/circle/lane boundaries after a valid start of an attempt results in a foul. The Referee may disqualify an athlete for a lane violation based on umpire reports, video evidence, or direct observation (Technical Rule 14).
7.3 Obstruction and Jostling (Technical Rule 17)
An athlete who jostles, runs across, or obstructs another athlete so as to impede progress may be disqualified. If the obstruction is caused by an athlete other than the affected athlete, the Referee may order a re-run excluding the offending athlete, or allow the affected athlete to run in the next round (Technical Rule 17).
7.4 Foul Attempts in Field Events
A foul attempt (no valid performance) is recorded and counts as one of the athlete's allocated attempts in the following cases:
- Throws: Implement lands outside the sector lines; athlete touches the top of the rim or the ground outside the circle before the implement lands; athlete leaves the circle incorrectly (from the front half or without waiting for the implement to land) (Technical Rule 25).
- High Jump/Pole Vault: Bar dislodged by athlete during or after the attempt; athlete passes under the bar or takes off on two feet (Technical Rule 25).
- Long Jump/Triple Jump: Athlete touches or goes beyond the takeoff board; incorrect sequence of legs in Triple Jump (Technical Rule 25).
7.5 Disqualification from an Event (Technical Rule 7)
An athlete may be disqualified from an individual event for: three consecutive failures in High Jump or Pole Vault (all three attempts at a single height fail); deliberate destruction of competition apparatus; failure to compete in a round of the combined events without valid medical excuse; or receiving physical assistance during competition. An athlete disqualified from an event may still compete in subsequent events in combined events, unless disqualified under Rule 7.7 (Technical Rule 7).
7.6 Relay Disqualification (Technical Rule 24)
A relay team is disqualified if: the baton is exchanged outside the exchange zone; a team member runs outside their lane in a manner that impedes another team; a team member deliberately interferes with another team; or an athlete runs an extra leg. If interference is caused by an athlete from another team, the affected team may be reinstated (Technical Rule 24).
7.7 General Disqualification (Technical Rule 7)
An athlete may be disqualified from the entire competition (all events) for: doping rule violations (subject to World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules); flagrant misconduct or breach of the spirit of fair play; failure to attend or compete without adequate justification in combined events; abuse or threatening behaviour toward officials or athletes. Doping violations are subject to separate procedures and may result in period of ineligibility of 2–4 years or lifetime ban for repeat offences (Technical Rule 7).
7.8 Protest and Appeals (Competition Rule 12)
A protest regarding an event result must be made verbally to the Referee immediately after the event. A written protest must be submitted within 30 minutes of the official posting of the result. A deposit (amount set by the organiser) must accompany the written protest; this is forfeited if the protest is unsuccessful. The Referee rules first; the athlete may then appeal to the Jury of Appeal within 30 minutes of the Referee's decision. The Jury of Appeal's decision is final on all technical matters. Appeals concerning anti-doping, eligibility, or ethical matters go to the Athletics Integrity Unit or Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) (Competition Rule 12).