What is The rules of sprinting?

Answer 1

Rules for the three individual sprint events (100, 200 and 400 meters) contain only slight differences. The relay races (4 x 100 and 4 x 400 meters) have additional rules regarding baton passing. Rules for each event are the same for men and women.

Equipment
The relay baton is a smooth, hollow, one-piece tube made of wood, metal or any other rigid material. It measures between 28-30 centimeters long, and between 12-13 centimeters in circumference. The baton must weigh at least 50 grams.

The competition
All Olympic sprint and relay events include eight runners, or eight teams, in the final. Depending on the number of entries, individual sprint events include two or three preliminary rounds before the final. In 2004, the 100- and 200-meter events included one round of preliminary heats followed by quarterfinal and semifinal rounds prior to the final. The 400 included one round of preliminary heats plus a semifinal round.

Sixteen teams qualify for the Olympic 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays. Eight teams are eliminated in the opening round heats while the other eight advance to the final.

The start
Runners in the individual sprints, plus the leadoff relay runners, begin in starting blocks. The other relay runners begin on their feet when they receive the baton in the passing zone.

In all sprint events the starter will announce, "On your marks," and then, "Set." At the "set" command runners must have both hands and at least one knee touching the ground and both feet in the starting blocks. Their hands must be behind the start line.

The race begins with the opening gun. Runners are permitted only one false start and are disqualified for a second false start.