How does an athlete challenge a result or a disqualification?
A · Advanced · Conduct and kit · 5 of 5A protest about a result or the conduct of the race 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".
- 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 race, or in a competition scored on team points.
- Evidence: the referee may consider any evidence they think necessary, including official video.
- 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 decision of the Referee or the Chief Race Walking Judge shall be upheld".
- Final: the Jury's decision is final, with no further right of appeal. The Jury may reconsider if new conclusive evidence appears.
- A referee's action on the course: if a warning or disqualification given outside the stadium is contested, the same protest rule applies.
- Walking faults: the judges decide by eye and each acts alone. An appeal that asks the Jury to look at video of a walker's technique meets the rule that inconclusive evidence leaves the chief judge's decision standing.
- 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.
A walker is disqualified on three red cards and has video that seems to show a legal stride. Will the Jury reinstate them?
It depends on whether the evidence is conclusive. If it is not, the chief judge's decision is upheld. The definition also turns on what the judges could see by eye at the time.
Can an athlete who did not take part in the race protest its result?
No. Only those competing in the same race may protest, apart from team competitions scored on points.
Can the Jury of Appeal's decision be taken further?
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, and on the road the evidence is thin: a moment seen by one umpire at one corner. A short deadline, a first decision by the referee and one appeal to a panel give athletes a hearing. The rule on inconclusive evidence means the official who saw the incident is not overturned on a guess.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 8 |
| No Jury of Appeal appointed | The referee's decision is final | TR 8.11 |
| New evidence | The Jury may reconsider, normally before the victory ceremony | TR 8.9 |
| Events outside the stadium | A contested warning or disqualification by the referee goes through the same process | TR 7.1 (note ii) |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 7.1 and 8 with the commentary printed under rule 8. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).