What happens when one athlete impedes another?
I · Intermediate · Running and finishing · 2 of 7An athlete who jostles or obstructs another so as to impede their progress is liable to disqualification. If the affected athlete was seriously affected, the referee may order the race to be run again or let that athlete go into the next round. The same remedies are open when the obstruction was nobody's fault.
How it works
- The test: an athlete "jostled or obstructed during an event so as to impede their progress".
- Caused by another athlete: that athlete "shall be liable to disqualification from that event".
- The affected athlete: if the referee thinks they were seriously affected, the race may be re-held for one, some or all of the athletes, or the affected athlete may be allowed into a later round.
- Nobody's fault: if the obstruction was unintentional or was not caused by an athlete, the referee has the same two remedies and nobody is disqualified.
- Honest effort: the affected athlete should normally have finished the race with real effort.
- What jostling is: the commentary describes it as physical contact that gives an unfair advantage or causes injury or harm.
- Serious cases: may also be treated as improper conduct, with a warning or exclusion from the competition.
- Who reports it: umpires placed round the track report what they see to the referee, who decides.
Tricky cases
An athlete is tripped and falls. Do they get another chance?
It depends on the referee. If they were seriously affected, the race may be re-held or they may be put into the next round.
Is every bump in a race a disqualification?
No. The contact has to impede the other athlete's progress, and even then the athlete responsible is "liable to" disqualification, which leaves the decision to the referee.
An athlete is obstructed, stops and walks off. Can they ask for a re-run?
It depends, and stopping makes it harder. The rule says the athlete should normally have completed the event with real effort.
A piece of equipment blows onto the track and blocks an athlete. Is anyone disqualified?
No. Where the obstruction is not caused by an athlete, the referee may re-hold the race or advance the athlete.
Why the rule exists
Runners share a track, and one athlete's line can cost another the race. The rule does two things: it removes the athlete who caused the harm, and it gives the referee ways to put right the harm done to the victim.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 17.1 |
| Race walking, road and cross country | The same rule applies | TR Part II introduction |
| Hurdles | Knocking a hurdle into another athlete's way is a separate ground for disqualification | TR 22.6.3 |
| Video | A video referee may review incidents where the system is in place | TR 12 |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 7.1, 12 and 17.1 with the commentary printed under it, and Competition Rule 20. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).