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. 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".
- 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.
- 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 runner cut air holes in their bib?
It depends on the race and where the holes are. In events of 10,000 m and longer a bib may be perforated, but not across the lettering or numbers. Otherwise bibs may not be cut.
Can a runner race a marathon barefoot?
Yes. The rule allows athletes to compete barefoot.
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 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 Rules 5 and 19.24. 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).