What happens when an athlete delays or disturbs the start without false starting?
Rule- South Africa
- Athletics South Africa
- World Athletics rules
- WA Technical Rules 2026
- Track and field
- Starters
- Officials
- All ages
- 2026/27
Under World Athletics TR 16.5, the starter must abort the start if, after "On your marks" or "Set" and before the gun, an athlete:
- causes the start to be aborted without a valid reason (for example raising a hand, or standing or sitting up from a crouch start), as judged by the referee;
- doesn't follow the commands, or doesn't take up their final starting position at once and without delay; or
- disturbs other athletes by sound, movement or otherwise.
Penalties:
- For 1 or 2, the referee may warn the athlete for improper conduct (yellow card), and disqualify them for a second infringement in the same competition (red card). A green card is not shown.
- For 3, if it causes another athlete to commit what would otherwise be a false start, the referee may warn (and on a second offence disqualify) the athlete who caused it. Otherwise a green card is shown. Repeated movements at several aborted starts can also lead to a warning.
- If an outside cause led to the abort, or the referee disagrees with the starter, a green card is shown to all athletes to show no false start was committed.
Use "Stand up" when you're not satisfied all is ready after the athletes are on their marks.
Added 22 Oct 2026