How does an athlete challenge a red flag or a result?

• On the spot: "if an athlete makes an immediate oral protest against having a trial judged as a failure, the Referee of the event may, if they are in any doubt, order that the trial be measured and the result recorded, in order to preserve the rights of all concerned".
• Carrying on under protest: if the disputed trial was in the first three rounds and the athlete would reach the later rounds only if the protest succeeded, the referee may let them continue "under protest".
• Why the judge still marks the spot: the commentary says the judge with the spike or prism should mark the landing point even after a red flag, so that a protest can be dealt with.
• Only if upheld: the disputed performance, and anything achieved while competing under protest, counts only if the referee or the Jury of Appeal later decides in the athlete's favour.
• Other athletes: an athlete who was allowed to continue because someone else was competing under protest keeps their results whatever the outcome.
• When the referee is sure: the commentary says the athlete should not be allowed to continue where the referee is certain the judges were right.
• The 30-minute rule: any other protest about a result or the conduct of the event must be made within 30 minutes of the official announcement of the result.
• Who may protest: the athlete, someone acting for them or an official representative of their team, and only if competing in the same round of the event.
• The appeal: to the Jury of Appeal within 30 minutes of the decision, in writing, signed, with a deposit of USD 100 or its equivalent that is forfeited if the appeal is not allowed.
• Final: the Jury's decision is final, with no further appeal.

A mark in the grass cannot be judged again an hour later. Dealing with the protest at once, and letting the athlete carry on provisionally, keeps the evidence and the athlete's chance alive until the question is settled.