How many false starts are allowed in youth races?
Rule- Australia
- Athletics Australia
- Youth athletics
- Track and field
- Under 13-Under 20
- 2026/27
- Coaches
At the Australian Athletics Championships:
- Under 15 to Open (able-bodied): the World Athletics rule applies. Except in combined events, any athlete responsible for a false start is disqualified.
- Under 14 and below: one false start per race (not per athlete) is allowed without disqualification of the athlete who made it. Any athlete who makes a further false start is disqualified from the race.
- An athlete eligible for an Under 14 or younger group who competes in an older age group is subject to the rules of the older group.
- Combined events: only one false start per race is allowed without disqualification. An athlete responsible for any further false start in that race is disqualified.
Added 24 Oct 2026