ΚΑΝΟΝΙΣΜΟΙ ΣΤΙΒΟΥ
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ATHLETICS FEDERATIONS (I.A.A.F.)
ΚΑΝΟΝΙΣΜΟΙ ΑΓΩΝΩΝ ΣΤΙΒΟΥ 2008

DEFINITIONS

Area

The geographical area comprising all of the Countries and Territoriesaffiliated to one of the six Area Associations.

Area Association

An area association of the IAAF responsible for fostering Athletics inone of the six areas into which the Members are divided in the Constitution.

Athletics

Track and Field, Road Running, Race Walking, Cross-countryRunning and Mountain Running.

CAS

Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

Citizen

A person who has legal citizenship of a Country or, in the case of aTerritory, legal citizenship of the Territory's parent Country andappropriate legal status in the Territory under applicable laws.

Citizenship

Legal citizenship of a Country or, in the case of a Territory, legal citizenship of the Territory’s parent Country and appropriate legal status in the Territory under applicable laws.

Club

A club or society of athletes affiliated to a Member in accordance with the rules of the Member.

Commission

A Commission of the IAAF that has been appointed by the Council under the terms of the Constitution.

Constitution

The IAAF Constitution.

Council

The IAAF Council.

Country

A self-governing geographical area of the world recognised as an independent state by international law and international governmental bodies.

IAAF

The International Association of Athletics Federations.

International Invitation Meeting

Athletics competition in which athletes affiliated to two or more Members participate by invitation of the Meeting Organiser.

International Competition

Any of the International Competitions listed under Rule 1.1 of these Rules.

IOC

International Olympic Committee.

Member

A national governing body for Athletics affiliated to the IAAF.

Membership

Membership of the IAAF.

National Federation

The Member of the IAAF to which an athlete, athlete support personnel or other person under these Rules is affiliated.

Procedural Guidelines

The Procedural Guidelines for Doping Control as approved by the Council.

Regulations

The Regulations of the IAAF as may be passed by the Council from time to time.

Rules

The rules of competition of the IAAF as set out in this CompetitionRules handbook.

Territory

A geographical territory or region which is not a Country, but which has certain aspects of self-government, at least to the extent of beingautonomous in the control of its sport and which is thus recognised as such by the IAAF.

World Athletics Series

The major International Competitions in the IAAF’s four-yearly official competition programme.

World Athletics Tour

An annual series of International Invitational Meetings in which athletes participate and can score points in accordance with Regulations approved by the Council. This series is organised by the IAAF.

World Combined Events Challenge

An annual series of Combined Events competitions in which athletes participate and can score points in accordance with Regulations approved by the Council. This series is organised by the IAAF.

World Race Walking Challenge

An annual series of Race Walking competitions in which athletes participate and can score points in accordance with Regulations approved by the Council. This series is organised by the IAAF.

Note 1: The above definitions apply to all Rules. There are further definitions in Chapter 3 which apply to the Anti-Doping Rules only.

Note 2: All references in the Rules to the masculine gender shall also include references to the feminine and all references to the singular shall also include references to the plural.

Note 3: Amendments (other than editorial amendments) to the corresponding Rules in the IAAF Competition Rules 2006 - 2007, approved by the 2007 Congress, are marked by double lines in the margin.

CHAPTER 1: INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS

RULE 1

International Competitions

1. The following are International Competitions:

(a)

(i) Competitions included in the World Athletics Series.

(ii) The Athletics programme of the Olympic Games.

(b)

The Athletics programme of Area, Regional or Group Games where the IAAF does not have exclusive control.

(c)

Regional or Group Championships in Athletics not confined to participants from a single Area.

(d)

Matches between teams from different Areas representing Members or Areas or combinations thereof.

(e)

(i) International Invitation Meetings which are included in the World Athletics Tour.

(ii) Competitions included in the Race Walking Challenge, the World Combined Events Challenge and any similar programmes approved by the Council.

(f)

Area Championships and other intra-Area competitions organised by an Area Association.

(g)

Regional or Group Championships in Athletics confined to participants from a single Area.

(h)

Matches between teams representing two or more Members or combinations thereof within the same Area.

(i)

International Invitation Meetings and competitions, other than those referred to in Rule 1.1(e), where appearance fees, prize money and/or the value of non-cash prizes exceed USD15,000 in total or USD5000 for any one event.

(j)

Area programmes similar to those referred to in Rule 1.1(e).

2. The Rules shall apply as follows:

(a)

The Eligibility Rules (Chapter 2), the rules governing Disputes (Chapter 4) and the Technical Rules (Chapter 5) shall apply to all International Competitions. Other international organisations recognised by the IAAF may have and enforce more restrictive eligibility requirements for competitions conducted under their jurisdiction.

(b)

The Anti-Doping Rules (Chapter 3) shall apply to all International Competitions, except that, where the IOC, or

another international organisation recognised by the IAAF for such purpose, carries out doping control at a competition under their rules, such as the Olympic Games, those rules shall govern to the extent applicable.

(c)

The Advertising Rule (Rule 8) shall apply to all International Competitions listed in Rules 1.1(a)(i), (c), (d), and (e). Area Associations may promulgate their own advertising regulations to apply to the International Competitions listed in Rules 1.1(f), (g), (h), (i) and (j), failing which those of the IAAF shall apply.

(d)

Rules 2 to 7 shall apply to all International Competitions, except to the extent any Rule specifically limits its applicability.

RULE 2

Authorisation to Stage Competitions

1. The IAAF is responsible for supervising a global competition system in cooperation with the Area Associations. The IAAF shall coordinate its competition calendar and those of the respective Area Associations in order to avoid or minimise conflicts. All International Competitions must be authorised by the IAAF or an Area Association in accordance with this Rule 2. In the event that an Area Association fails properly to manage and control International Competitions in accordance with these Rules, the IAAF shall be entitled to intervene and take such steps as it deems necessary.
2. The IAAF alone shall have the right to organise the Athletics competition at the Olympic Games and the competitions that are included in the World Athletics Series. The IAAF shall organise a World Championships in odd-numbered years.

4. Area Associations shall have the right to organise Area Championships and they may organise such other intra-Area events as they deem appropriate.

Competitions requiring an IAAF Permit

5. (a) An IAAF permit is required for all International Competitions listed in Rules 1.1(b), (c), (d) and (e).

(b) An application for a permit must be made to the IAAF by the Member in whose Country or Territory the International Competition is to take place not later than 12 months prior to the competition, or such other deadline as may be established by the IAAF.

Competitions requiring an Area Association Permit

6. (a) An Area Association Permit is required for all International Competitions listed in Rules 1.1(g), (h), (i), and (j). Permits for International Invitation Meetings or competitions where appearance fees, prize money and/or the value of non-cash prizes exceed USD200,000 in total or USD25,000 in any one event shall not be issued prior to the Area Association’s consultation with the IAAF regarding the date.

(b) An application for a permit must be made to the appropriate Area Association by the Member in whose Country or Territory the International Competition is to take place not later than 12 months prior to the competition, or such other deadline as may be established by the Area Association.

Competitions authorised by a Member

7. Members may authorise national competitions, and foreign athletes may participate in those competitions, subject to Rules

4.2 and 4.3. If foreign athletes do participate, appearance fees, prize money, and/or non-cash prizes for all athletes at such national competitions shall not exceed USD15,000 in total or USD5000 for any one event. No athlete may participate in any such competition if he is ineligible to participate in the sport of Athletics under the rules of the IAAF, the host Member, or the National Federation to which he is affiliated.

RULE 3

Regulations Governing the Conduct of International Competitions

1. The Council may produce Regulations governing the conduct of International Competitions held under the Rules and regulating the relationships of athletes, athletes’ representatives, meeting organisers and Members. These Regulations may be varied or amended by the Council as it sees fit.
2. The IAAF and Area Associations may designate one or more representatives to attend every International Competition requiring an IAAF or Area Association Permit respectively to ensure that the applicable Rules and Regulations are complied with. At the request of the IAAF or Area Association respectively, such representative(s) shall render a compliance

report within 30 days of the end of the International Competition in question.

RULE 4

Requirements to Compete in International Competitions

1. No athlete may take part in an International Competition unless he:

(a)

is a member of a Club affiliated to a Member; or

(b)

is himself affiliated to a Member; or

(c)

has otherwise agreed to abide by the rules of a Member; and

(d)

for International Competitions at which the IAAF is responsible for doping control (see Rule 35.7), has signed an agreement in a form set by the IAAF by which he agrees to be bound by the Rules, Regulations and Procedural Guidelines (as amended from time to time) and to submit all disputes he may have with the IAAF or a Member to arbitration only in accordance with these Rules, accepting not to refer any such disputes to any Court or authority which is not provided for in these Rules.

1. Members may require that no athlete or Club affiliated to the Member may take part in an athletics competition in a foreign Country or Territory without the Member’s written approval. In such a case, no Member hosting a competition shall allow any foreign athlete or Club of the Member in question to take part without evidence of such permit certifying that the athlete or Club is eligible and permitted to compete in the Country or Territory concerned. Members shall notify the IAAF of all such permit requirements. To facilitate compliance with this Rule, the IAAF shall maintain on its web site a list of Members with such requirements.
2. No athlete may have affiliation abroad without previous authorisation from his National Federation of origin, if the Rules of that Federation require such authorisation. Even then, the National Federation of the Country or Territory in which the athlete is residing cannot enter any athlete's name for competitions in another Country or Territory without previous authorisation from the National Federation of origin. In all cases under this Rule, the National Federation of the Country or Territory in which the athlete is residing shall send a written request to the athlete's National Federation of origin, and the National Federation of origin shall send a written reply to that

request within thirty (30) days. Both of these communications shall be by a means that generates an acknowledgement of receipt. E-mail that includes a receipt function is acceptable for this purpose. If the response of the athlete's National Federation of origin is not received within the 30-day period, the authorisation shall be deemed to have been given. In the event of a negative response to a request for authorisation under this Rule, which response must be supported by reasons, the athlete or the National Federation of the Country or Territory in which the athlete is residing may appeal against any such decision to the IAAF. The IAAF shall publish guidelines for the filing of an appeal under this Rule and these guidelines shall be available on the IAAF website. To facilitate compliance with this Rule, the IAAF shall maintain on its web site a list of National Federations with such authorisation requirements.

Note: Rule 4.3 concerns athletes aged 18 or over as at the 31st of December of the year in question. The Rule does not apply to athletes who are not Citizens of a Country or Territory or to political refugees.

RULE 5

Citizenship and Changes in Citizenship

1. In International Competitions under Rules 1.1(a) and (b), Members shall be represented only by Citizens of the Country or Territory which the affiliated Member represents.
1. Having once represented a Member in an International Competition under Rules 1.1(a) and (b), no athlete may thereafter represent another Member in an International Competition under Rules 1.1(a) and (b), except in the following circumstances:
1. The incorporation of one Country or Territory in another.
2. The creation of a new Country ratified by Treaty or otherwise recognised at international level.
1. Acquisition of a new citizenship. In this case, the athlete shall not represent his new Member in an International Competition under Rules 1.1(a) and (b), for a period of three years following the date of acquisition of new Citizenship pursuant to the athlete’s application. This period of three years may however be reduced or cancelled as set out below:
1. the period may be reduced to 12 months with the agreement of the Members concerned. The reduction shall be effective upon receipt by the IAAF Office of a
2. written notification of the Members’ agreement;
1. the period may be reduced or cancelled in truly exceptional cases by the Council.
1. Dual Citizenship: In this case, an athlete who holds Citizenship of two (or more) Countries or Territories, may represent the Member of either (or any) of them, as he may elect. However, having represented the Member in an International Competition under Rules 1.1(a) and (b), he shall not represent another Member of which he is a Citizen in an International Competition under Rules 1.1(a) and (b), for a period of three years from the date he last represented the first Member. This period of three years may be reduced or cancelled as set out below:
1. the period may be reduced to 12 months with the agreement of the Members concerned. The reduction shall be effective upon receipt by the IAAF Office of a written notification of the Members’ agreement which has been signed by both parties;
2. the period may be reduced or cancelled in truly exceptional cases with the approval of the Council.

3. (a) When a Citizen of a Country or Territory of a Member which is suspended from the IAAF is seeking to become a Citizen of a Country or Territory of a Member which is not suspended, he may compete in domestic competition organised by the Member which is not suspended on condition that:

(i)

he renounces his former nationality in the process of applying for citizenship of the Country or Territory of the Member which is not suspended and he publicly states this fact by advising the relevant Members concerned;

(ii)

he completes at least one year's continuous residence in his new Country or Territory;

(b)

An athlete who has complied with the requirements of Rule 5.3(a) may compete in International Competitions under Rules 1.1(i) and (j) only after completing a period of two years' continuous residence in his new Country or Territory.

(c)

An athlete who has complied with the requirements of Rule 5.3(a) may represent his new National Federation in International Competitions under Rules 1.1(a) to (f) only after completing a period of three years' continuous

IAAF Competition Rules 2008 residence in his new Country or Territory and after he has acquired new citizenship.

(d)

The period(s) of continuous residence shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days, starting from the day after a person lands in the Country or Territory where he seeks to acquire new citizenship.

(e)

In any continuous 365 day period, an athlete may not spend more than a total of 90 days in the foreign Country or Territory of the Member under suspension.

(f)

An athlete seeking to qualify under this Rule must refrain from any athletics activities, which shall include, but not be restricted to, exhibition races, training, coaching, officiating, lecturing, giving interviews and publicity interviews, with any representatives of a Member which is under suspension.

4. Members and their officials, coaches and athletes are not to conduct any activities, as defined in Rule 5.3(f) or otherwise, associated with any representative of a suspended Member, its officials, coaches, judges, athletes, etc. In case of any infringement of this Rule, the provisions for suspensions and sanctions laid down in the Constitution shall apply.

RULE 6

Payments to Athletes

Athletics is an open sport and, subject to the Rules and Regulations, athletes may be paid in cash or in kind in any way appropriate for appearing, participating or performing in any athletics competition or engaging in any other commercial activity related to their participation in Athletics.

RULE 7

Athletes' Representatives

1. Members may allow athletes to use the services of an authorised Athletes' Representative to assist athletes, in co-operation with the Member, in the planning, arranging and negotiation of their athletics programme.
2. Members shall be responsible for the authorisation of Athletes' Representatives. Each Member shall have jurisdiction over Athletes' Representatives acting on behalf of their athletes and over Athletes' Representatives acting within their Country or Territory.
1. To assist Members in this task, the IAAF shall publish a
2. Guidance Note for Members on the regulation of National Federation/Athletes' Representatives. This Guidance Note shall contain a list of matters which should be included in each Member's system of regulation of Athletes' Representatives, the IAAF's suggestions of best practice in this area, as well as suggested forms of contract between the Athletes and their Representatives.
3. It is a condition of Membership that each Member includes in its constitution, provisions to ensure that no athlete will be granted the Member's consent to use an Athletes' Representative, and no Athletes' Representative shall be authorised, unless a written contract exists between the athlete and his Representative which contains the minimum terms set out in the IAAF Regulations concerning National Federation/Athletes' Representatives.
4. Any athlete who uses an unauthorised Athletes' Representative may be subject to sanctions in accordance with the Rules and Regulations.

RULE 8

Advertising and Displays during International Competitions

1. Advertising and displays of a promotional nature shall be permitted in all International Competitions as specified in Rule 1.2(c), provided such advertising and displays comply with the terms of this Rule and with any Regulations that may be passed hereunder.
1. The Council may pass Regulations from time to time giving detailed guidance as to the form advertising may take and the manner in which promotional or other material may be displayed at International Competitions conducted under these Rules. These Regulations shall adhere to at least the following principles:
1. Only advertising of a commercial or charitable nature shall be allowed at competitions conducted under these Rules. No advertising which has as its objective the advancement of any political cause or the interests of any pressure group, whether domestic or international, shall be allowed.
2. No advertising may appear which, in the opinion of the IAAF, is tasteless, distracting, offensive, defamatory or unsuitable bearing in mind the nature of the event. No advertising may appear which obscures, either partially or otherwise, the television camera's view of a competition. All advertising must comply with any applicable safety regulations.
3. The advertising of tobacco products is prohibited. The advertising of alcohol products is prohibited, unless expressly permitted by the Council.
2. The Regulations under this Rule may be amended by the Council at any time.

CHAPTER 2: ELIGIBILITY

RULE 20

Definition of Eligible Athlete

An athlete is eligible to compete if he agrees to abide by the Rules and has not been declared ineligible.

RULE 21

Restriction of Competition to Eligible Athletes

1. Competition under these Rules is restricted to athletes who are under the jurisdiction of a Member and who are eligible to compete under the Rules.
2. In any competition under the Rules, the eligibility of an athlete competing shall be guaranteed by the Member to which the athlete is affiliated.
3. The eligibility rules of Members shall be strictly in conformity with those of the IAAF and no Member may pass, promulgate or retain in its constitution or regulations any eligibility rule or regulation which is in direct conflict with a Rule or Regulation. Where there is a conflict between the eligibility rules of the IAAF and the eligibility rules of a Member, the eligibility rules of the IAAF shall apply.

RULE 22

Ineligibility for International and Domestic Competitions

1. The following persons may be declared ineligible for competitions, whether held under these Rules or the domestic rules of a Member. Any person:

(a)

whose National Federation is currently suspended by the IAAF. This does not apply to domestic competitions organised by the currently suspended Member for the Citizens of that Country or Territory;

(b)

who has taken part in any athletics competition or event in which any of the competitors were, to his knowledge, suspended from participation or ineligible to compete under the Rules, or which takes place in the Country or Territory of a suspended Member. This does not apply to any athletics

IAAF Competition Rules 2008 competition which is restricted to the Masters’ age group (35 years and over);

(c)

who takes part in any athletics competition which is not sanctioned, recognised or certified by the Member in the Country or Territory in which the competition is held;

(d)

who is suspended from participation in or ineligible to compete in competitions under the jurisdiction of his National Federation, in so far as such ineligibility is consistent with these Rules;

(e)

who contravenes the Anti-Doping Rules (see Chapter 3);

(f)

who has committed any act or made any statement either verbally or in writing, or has been responsible for any breaches of the Rules or other conduct which is considered to be insulting or improper or likely to bring the sport into disrepute;

(g)

who contravenes Rule 8 (Advertising and Displays during International Competitions) or any Regulations made thereunder;

(h)

who uses the services of an Athletes' Representative other than one approved by the relevant Member under Rule 7;

(i)

who has been declared ineligible by virtue of a breach of any Regulations made under the Rules.

1. In the event of an alleged breach of this Rule, the disciplinary procedures to be followed in determining an athlete’s ineligibility (other than in a case of a breach of Rule 22.1(e)) are set out in Rule 60.4.
2. If an athlete competes whilst suspended or ineligible, the period of his ineligibility shall, unless otherwise stated in the relevant Rule, recommence from the time he last competed as though no part of a period of suspension or ineligibility had been served.