How does an athlete challenge a result or a disqualification?
A · Advanced · Rounds, penalties and kit · 2 of 3A protest about a result or the conduct of an event must be made within 30 minutes of the result being officially announced. It is made orally to the referee. The referee's decision can be appealed in writing to the Jury of Appeal within 30 minutes, with a deposit of 100 US dollars that is lost if the appeal fails.
How it works
- The time limit: protests "shall be made within 30 minutes of the official announcement of the result" of that round.
- How: orally to the referee, by the athlete, by someone acting for them or by an official representative of their team.
- Who may protest: only an athlete or team competing in the same round of the event, or in a competition scored on team points.
- Evidence: the referee may consider any evidence they think necessary, including official video.
- The decision: the referee may decide or may pass the matter to the Jury of Appeal.
- The appeal: to the Jury of Appeal within 30 minutes of the referee's decision or the amended result being announced. It must be in writing, signed and accompanied by a deposit of USD 100 or its equivalent, "which will be forfeited if the appeal is not allowed".
- If the evidence is not conclusive: the referee's decision stands.
- Final: the Jury's decision is final, with no further right of appeal, "including to CAS". The Jury may reconsider if new conclusive evidence appears, normally before the victory ceremony.
- A false start: after an immediate spoken protest, the referee may let the athlete run "under protest" if in doubt. A red and white card is raised in front of them.
- A missed false start: an athlete who finished the race may protest that the starter failed to recall a false start. If it is upheld, the referee may declare the race void and have it run again.
- Wrongly thrown out: an athlete wrongly excluded for a false start, whose protest is upheld after the race, should be given the chance to run alone for a time and so to go through.
- Eligibility: a protest about whether an athlete may take part must be made before the competition starts.
Tricky cases
Can a coach protest for an athlete?
Yes. A protest may be made by someone acting on the athlete's behalf or by an official representative of the team.
Can an athlete who was knocked out in the heats protest about the final?
No. Only those competing in the same round of the event may protest.
The start system showed a false start but the athlete is sure they did not move. Can they run under protest?
No, not normally. Running under protest should not be allowed when a certified start information system showed the false start, unless the referee decides its information is plainly wrong.
Can the Jury of Appeal's decision be taken to a court?
No. The rule says there is no further right of appeal, including to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Why the rule exists
Results have to become final quickly, because the next round depends on them. A short deadline, a first decision by the official who was there and one appeal to a panel give athletes a real hearing without holding up the meeting. Running under protest keeps an athlete's chance alive while the facts are checked.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 8 |
| An athlete or team that did not finish | The referee first checks whether they should have been disqualified for something else, and if so dismisses the protest | TR 8.4.4 |
| No Jury of Appeal appointed | The referee's decision is final | TR 8.11 |
| Field events | An athlete may protest a failed trial at once and have it measured | TR 8.5 |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rule 8 with the commentary printed under it. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).