Athletics (track)
Rules
The rules of athletics track events are simple: the athlete who crosses the line first is the winner. In addition, there are rules for starting, running and finishing.
Starting
- In the longer races (1,500 metres to 10,000 metres) the athletes do not begin running in lanes and the start line is curved. This means that all athletes begin the same distance from the finish.
- When an athlete is getting ready to run in an event like the 100 or 200 metres sprint, they bend down and touch the track with their hands in the ‘set position’.
- After taking the set position, the athlete must wait for the starter’s gun to be fired. If the athlete starts before the gun, it is a false start and the athlete will be disqualified.
Running the race
- In all races run in lanes, each athlete must keep inside his lane at all times, or be disqualified.
- An athlete who obstructs another athlete in a way that affects his progress is disqualified.
The finish
- An athlete finishes the race when any part of his torso reaches the finish line. ‘Torso’ means chest or stomach but not head, neck, arms, legs, hands or feet.
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Why do you think the running races at the Olympics are so popular?
Maybe because it’s so natural – everyone does it.
I don’t! Or at least, not if I can help it!
Well, most of us do. People have been running in races for a long time. At the ancient Olympic Games the stadion race, where the athletes ran from one end of the stadium to the other, was one of the most important events.
I see. What about at the modern Olympics – there are lots of different races, aren’t there?
That’s right. There are 12 races for both men and women, from 100 metres to 10,000 metres.
Why so many?
Well, there are sprints, middle- and long-distance races, hurdles and steeplechase, and relays.
Can you explain all those names?
The sprints are the short races. Middle-distance means the 800 and 1,500 metres, and long-distance is the 5,000 and 10,000 metre races. In the hurdles and steeplechase they jump over obstacles. The relays are team events where they have to pass a stick, or baton, from one person to the next.
OK. Can you tell me about some famous runners at the Olympics?
How about Paavo Nurmi, the “Flying Finn”? He won nine gold medals from 1920 to 1928. Or Emil Zatopek, the "Czech Locomotive"? He won the 5,000 and 10,000 metre races in 1952 and then the Marathon as well!
So if you’re really good you get given a nickname, right?
It seems so! And speaking of which, did you hear about the great Ethiopian runner Kenenisa Bekele - the current 5,000 and 10,000 metre champion? He’s known as the “Ethiopian Lion” and he was once chased by a lion while he was training!
Really? I think even I’d run in that situation!
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