What must an athlete wear to race?
Officials' detail · Rounds, penalties and kit · 1 of 1Athletes 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 cut so as to block the judges' view. Each athlete wears two bibs, on the chest and the back, exactly as issued. An athlete without a bib may not take part.
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".
- Team kit: at major competitions athletes wear the uniform approved by their federation. The victory ceremony counts as part of the competition for this.
- 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".
- No bib, no race: "No athlete shall be allowed to take part in any competition without displaying the appropriate bib(s) and/or identification."
- Hip numbers: where a photo finish is used, athletes may have to wear extra stick-on numbers on the side of their shorts or lower body.
- The call room: officials there see to it that bibs, shoes and clothing are in order before athletes go out.
- The penalty: an athlete who does not follow these rules and refuses the referee's direction, or competes anyway, is disqualified.
- Relays: each runner wears bibs like any other athlete, and the baton is the only thing that passes between them.
Tricky cases
Can an athlete run with one shoe?
Yes. The rule allows athletic shoes "on one or both feet".
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, not in a running event. Two bibs are worn, front and back. Only the jumping events allow a single bib.
An athlete's hair covers the bib on their back. Is that a problem?
Yes, it can be. Bibs may not be obscured, and a note to the clothing rule says "impede the view of the judges" is to be read widely and can include how athletes wear their hair.
Why the rule exists
Bibs and hip numbers are how officials and the photo finish know who is who. The clothing rules protect the judges' view and the decency of the event. The shoe rule exists because shoe technology can change performance, so World Athletics approves what may be worn.
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 |
| Race walking | Clothing must leave a clear view of 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 Rule 5 and Competition Rule 29. 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).