Sprint
Sprint is a track and field speciality including races of 100, 200 and 400 m. For the 100m, all competitors are lined up side-by-side. For the 200 m and 400 m, which involve curves, runners are staggered for the start, to ensure that they all run the same distance. Athletes must stay in his/her lane and they can start running only after the firing of the starter’s gun (if they do so any earlier, it shall be deemed a false start). Starting blocks are used to provide greater stability and to give a strong acceleration at the start. It is important to remember that for the correct starting position the hands should be placed on the track surface, with the thumb and index finger parallel to the starting line. When the starter announces «On your marks» and then «Set» the athletes should lift their hips, with the shoulders square to the hands and the heels resting on the blocks. When the starter’s gun is fired the athlete should put on a spur, those who are right footed will push down on the left foot while right knee flexes forward.
