Two athletes jump the same distance. Who is placed higher?
I · Intermediate · The competition · 4 of 6If two athletes have the same best distance, their second-best jumps are compared, then their third-best, then the next. If every jump matches, it is a tie and they share the place. That applies to first place as well. There is no jump-off.
How it works
- The rule: "the second best performance of the athletes having the same best performances shall determine whether there has been a tie". If needed the third best is compared, then the fourth and the rest in turn.
- Still level: "it shall be determined to be a tie".
- Any place: "in the case of a tie for any place, including first place, the tie shall remain".
- Fouls: a failed trial has no distance, so an athlete with fewer valid jumps runs out of jumps to compare sooner.
- Why every jump is measured: any valid trial may be needed to break a tie, which is why judges measure them all.
Tricky cases
Two athletes both have a best of 8.20 m. One has a second-best of 8.15 m and the other 8.02 m. Who wins?
The athlete with 8.15 m.
One athlete has only one valid jump and it equals a rival's best. Who is ahead?
The rival, if they have any other valid jump. A second-best performance beats none.
Is there a jump-off if the tie cannot be broken?
No. The tie remains, for first place as for any other.
Why the rule exists
The second-best jump is evidence of who jumped better across the competition, and it costs no extra time. Because the six trials are already a full contest, the rule accepts a tie that survives all of them.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 25.22 |
| High jump and pole vault | Countback on failures, with a possible jump-off for first place | TR 26.8; TR 26.9 |
| A tie for the last place in the top eight | All the tied athletes get the additional trials | TR 25.6 |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rule 25.22. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).