Two athletes clear the same height. Who is placed higher?
I · Intermediate · The competition · 1 of 4When athletes finish on the same height, the one who needed fewer tries at that height is placed higher. If that is equal, the one with fewer failures in the whole competition up to that height is placed higher. If they are still level they share the place, except for first place, which can go to a jump-off.
How it works
The rule applies in this order:
- "The athlete with the lowest number of jumps at the height last cleared shall be awarded the higher place."
- If still equal, the athlete "with the lowest total of failures throughout the competition up to and including the height last cleared".
- If still equal, the athletes share the place, unless it is first place.
- For first place there is a jump-off, unless it has been decided otherwise or the athletes choose not to jump further.
Other points:
- What counts in step 2: every failure up to and including the last height cleared. Failures at the height where the athlete went out are not counted.
- Passes: a passed trial is not a failure and does not count against the athlete.
- Deciding against a jump-off: this may be set in the competition's regulations, or decided by the technical delegate or referee before the event starts.
- Sharing first place: if no jump-off is held, "the tie for first place shall remain".
The glossary calls this procedure countback.
Tricky cases
One athlete clears 2.30 m at the first try and another at the third. Both fail at 2.33 m. Who is ahead?
The athlete who cleared 2.30 m at the first try. They had fewer jumps at the height last cleared.
Both cleared the last height at the second try. What decides it?
The total number of failures in the competition up to and including that height. The lower total is placed higher.
Do the three failures at the height where an athlete went out count in the countback?
No. Only failures up to and including the height last cleared are counted.
Can two athletes agree to share the gold medal?
Yes. If the athletes decide not to jump further, at any stage, the tie for first place remains.
Why the rule exists
Height alone often leaves athletes level, because the bar moves in steps. Counting tries rewards the athlete who cleared the deciding height sooner and wasted fewer attempts on the way. Only first place is worth holding everyone back for more jumping.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 26.8 |
| Combined events | No jump-off | TR 26.8.4 (note) |
| Qualification round | A tie for the last place in the final puts all the tied athletes in the final | TR 25.15 |
| Long jump and throws | Ties are broken on the second-best performance | TR 25.22 |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rule 26.8 with the commentary printed under it. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).