How are youth age categories set, and can an athlete compete in more than one?
Rule- South Africa
- Athletics South Africa
- ASA Rules 2024 onwards
- World Athletics rules
- Youth athletics
- U16-U20
- 2026/27
- Coaches
Age categories (ASA Rule 23.1, following World Athletics TR 3):
- U18: 16 or 17 on 31 December of the year of competition.
- U20: 18 or 19 on 31 December of the year of competition.
- Senior (track and field): 16 and older on 31 December.
- U16: the youngest category on the ASA championship programme.
- Road running Junior: 19 or younger on 31 December.
One category per competition (Rules 23.1.2 and 23.1.4): an athlete may not compete in more than one age category at the same competition unless there's no matching event in the category they first chose. They must declare their category at entry.
Provincial or ASA boards may approve other age groups for a specific competition's technical regulations (Rule 23.1.1).
Added 22 Oct 2026