How do restricted areas and electronic devices work?

The games committee must define restricted and unrestricted areas for every meet and enforce them consistently (2026 point of emphasis).

• Restricted areas: only competitors in the current event, meet officials and designated personnel.
• Devices (Rule 4-6-6): phones, headphones and video review are allowed only in unrestricted areas. An athlete who views video or uses a wireless device in a restricted area while competing is disqualified from the event.
• Worn recording devices (Rule 4-6-6c, 2026): athletes may not wear any audio or video recording device during a race or trial, or in restricted areas.
• Coaching from a restricted area (Rule 4-6-5) counts as assistance, and the athlete is disqualified from the event.

Use preventive officiating: tell athletes and coaches where the boundaries are before an infraction happens.