What must an athlete wear to race?
Officials' detail · Conduct and kit · 2 of 2Athletes may race barefoot or in athletic shoes that meet World Athletics' shoe regulations. Clothing must be clean, not see-through even when wet and not such as to block the judges' view. Walkers may not wear anything that hides the knee. Each athlete wears two bibs, on the chest and the back, as issued. Nobody may take part without one.
How it works
- Shoes: "Athletes may compete either barefoot or in Athletic Shoes on one or both feet."
- Shoe regulations: shoes must comply with the Athletic Shoe Regulations approved by the World Athletics Council. Those are a separate document, which was not read for these pages.
- Clothing: must be "clean, and designed and worn so as not to be objectionable", and made of material that is "non-transparent even if wet".
- The judges' view: athletes "must not wear clothing which could impede the view of the Judges".
- The knee: the commentary says walkers "shall not wear clothing that prevents a clear and complete view of the knee area". Long tights that cling to the legs are acceptable.
- Team kit: at major competitions athletes wear the uniform approved by their federation.
- Bibs: two, worn visibly on the front of the torso and on the back. Names may be used in place of numbers.
- As issued: bibs "may not be cut, folded or obscured in any way".
- Long races: in events of 10,000 m and longer the bibs may be perforated to let air through, but not across the lettering or numbers.
- No bib, no race: an athlete may not take part without the proper bib or identification.
- Timing chips: where a transponder is used, it and its housing must not be a significant weight, and the athlete must not have to do anything to make it work.
- After disqualification: a walker disqualified on the road takes off the bibs and leaves the course.
- The penalty: an athlete who does not follow these rules and refuses the referee's direction, or competes anyway, is disqualified.
Tricky cases
Can a race walker wear loose tracksuit trousers?
No, not if they hide the knee. The judges must have a clear and complete view of the knee area.
Can a race walker wear long tights?
Yes. Long tights that cling to the legs are acceptable.
Can a bib be folded to make it smaller?
No. Bibs must be worn as issued and may not be cut, folded or obscured.
Can an athlete wear a bib on the front only?
No. Two bibs are worn, front and back. Only the jumping events allow a single bib.
Why the rule exists
Bibs are how officials along a course know who is who, which matters more on a road than on a track because there is no lane to identify an athlete by. The knee rule is there because the straight leg is one of the two things the judges have to see.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 5 |
| Jumping events | One bib, on the front or the back | TR 5.7 |
| Running events | No rule about the knee | TR 5.1 commentary |
| Shoe checks | No sole thickness measurements are expected at shoe control | TR 5.2 commentary |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 5 and 19.24 and 54.7.6. The Athletic Shoe Regulations (in the separate "Book C") were not read. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).