Athletics Rules
❖ Athletes entered in traditional Athletics events may not enter
developmental events.
❖ Athletes entered in 3 events may also be entered in 1 relay race.
❖ Athletes must compete in athletic shoes. No street shoes or sandals will be
permitted on track.
❖ Athletes must wear appropriate clothing.
❖ Athletes wearing jeans or casual pants will not be permitted to compete.
Traditional Athletics:
• Running Events:
- 100 Meter Race – (AT100M)
- 100 Meter Walk – (AT100W)
- 100 Meter Wheelchair Race – (AT1CWH)
- 200 Meter Wheelchair Race – (AT2CWH)
- 200 Meter Race – (AT200M)
- 400 Meter Race – (AT400M)
- 400 Meter Walk – (AT400W)
- 5000 Meter Race – (AT5000)
- 800 Meter Race – (AT800M)
- 800 Meter Walk – (AT800W)
- 4 x 100 Meter Relay – (AT4XCR)
o All 4 x 100 Relay team members must wear same
uniforms/shirts
❖ Race Walk Rules:
o Athlete must have 1 foot in touch with the ground at all times.
o An athlete does not have to have a straight advancing leg while
competing.
o Up to and including the 400 meters, the competitor shall be
disqualified with no prior warning when, in the opinion of 2 or
more officials, a technical violation has been committed that
results in an advantage being gained.
• Field Events:
- Running Long Jump - (ATLNJP)
- Shot Put Men – (ATSP1M)
o 4K Shot Put
- Shot Put Women – (ATSP2W)
o 3K Shot Put
- Turbo Jav – (ATJAV)
❖ Long Jump Rules:
o Athlete must be able to jump at least 1 meter, which is the
maximum distance between the takeoff board and sandpit.
o All distances will be measured along a perpendicular line from the
foul line to the closet impression on the landing area made by any
part of the athlete’s body or clothing.
o Athlete is allowed 3 non-consecutive attempts. Longest
measurement of the 3 attempts shall be used for scoring. Second
best and third best will be used to break ties.
o Competitor charged a foul if they do not initiate and attempt
within 1 minute after the competitor’s name has been called, in
addition to a visual indication made by the event judge.
❖ Shot Put Rules:
o Acceptable to include wheelchair athlete in regular divisions of
shot put, but weight of shot must be the same for all competitors.
o Legal put shall be made from within the circle. In the course of an
attempt, the athlete, or his/her wheelchair, may not touch the
top edge of the stop-board, the top of the iron ring or any surface
outside of the circle. It is legal to touch the inside of the stopboard or the iron band.
o Shot shall be put from the shoulder with 1 hand only. When the
competitor takes a stance in the circle to commence a put, the
shot shall touch or be in close proximity to the neck or the chin
and the hand shall not be dropped below this position during the
action of putting. The shot shall not be taken behind the line of
the shoulders.
❖ Turbo Jav Rules:
o Minimum weights:
▪ Males & Females ages 8-15 = 300 grams
▪ Females: 16+ = 300 grams
▪ Males: 16+ = 400 grams
o Must be held by the grip with 1 hand only.
o Shall be thrown over the shoulder or upper part of the
throwing arm and may not be slung or hurled.
o At no time may the competitor turn completely around so that
his/her back is towards the throwing area.
o Measurement of each throw shall be made from where the tip
first struck the ground to the inside edge of the arc.
o Foul if:
▪ Does not use proper throwing technique.
▪ Does not throw jav so that the point (tip) lands before
any other part of the implement.
▪ Does not throw the jav so that the point (tip) falls
completely within the inner edges of the sector lines.
▪ Where competitor touches with any part of the body the
arc as marked, or any ground beyond the arc or
throwing box.
For more detailed rules, please visit:
http://media.specialolympics.org/resources/sports-essentials/sportrules/Athletics-Sports-Rules.pdf