Competitors run in lanes on a straightway. The lanes are between 1.22m and 1.25m wide. Competitors are allowed one false start, 2 is a disqualification. False starts are determined by the aid of pressure plates built into each of the runners starting blocks. A runner is considered to have finished a race when his or her torso - from shoulder to waist - reaches the finish line. Heads, arms, legs and feet do not count.

Is one half lap, a sprint around a curve. Because runners must stay in their lanes, a staggered start is required so that all runner send up covering the same distance.

One lap in the lanes with a staggered start.

Two lap race with a staggered start. The runners stay in their lanes until the end of the first curve, at which they can then move to break to the inside.

The "metric mile", the 1500m race is 1640 yards, 1 foot 3inches long and covers 3 3 / 4 laps. 12 runners take part in the final.

A race of 12 1 / 2 laps, the 5000m is 3 miles,188yards2 inches. 15 runners take part in the final.

This race is a 25 lap race. The 10,000 m is 6miles 376yards and 4inches. 20 runners take part in the final.

The start and finish may or may not take place within the stadium. The course should follow standard roads, although bicycle and footpaths are allowed. Refreshment stations must be provided every 5km. Competitors must not have any refreshments in between the station. However, water stations are to be used for drinking and sponging and must be provided between stations.

Runners receiving outside assistance will be disqualified automatically. The only exception, added to rules after 1984, allows hands on medical examinations by designated medical personnel. If the official medical staff determines that the athlete os not fit to continue, the athlete must retire immediately.

The contestants must clear 10 hurdles, 3 ft 6inches high. It is 45ft to the first hurdle and the distance between them is 30ft. The distance from the last hurdle to the finish is 46ft.

Competitors must clear 10, 3ft hurdles. It is 45ft to the first hurdle and the hurdles are 35m apart. The last hurdle is 40m from the finish line.

The runners must negotiate a course of 28 hurdles and 7 water jumps. The hurdles are 3ft high and are solid so that they cannot be knocked over. The tops of the hurdles are 5 inches wide to allow runners to step on them. The water jump, which is preceded by a hedge, is 12ft long, with a maximum depth of 2 ft3unches. 12 runners take part in the final.

This race is a one lap race run in lanes with a staggered start. The first runner for each team begins in starting blocks; the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th use a running start. Batons, made of wood/metal, are between 11 inches and 11 1 / 2 inches long and are between 4 1 / 2 inches to 5 inches in circumference. The batons must weigh at least 50 grams. The baton must also be carried by hand. If the baton is dropped, the runner may go out of the lane to retrieve it as long a it does not decrease the distance covered. Changes must take place within a 20m passing zone. A pass made out of this zone is a disqualification.

The contestants must keep at least one foot in contact with the ground at all times. If a walker loses contact with the ground, he/she receives a warning for "lifting". Walkers need to straighten the leg at each step at the point of first contact with the ground. If the three judges give a walker warnings, the 3^rd warning results in disqualification. The distance is equivalent to 12.147miles.

The rules for this race are the same as those for the 20,000m walk. The equivalent distance is 31.068miles.

The crossbar is 4m long. The runway lading to the crossbar must be at least 20m long and preferably at least 25m long. Each contestant may place one or two markers along the runway to assist in the timing of his/her run and take off. There is a time limit of 1 1 / 2 minutes for a jump. When there are only 2 or 3 competitors left, 3 minutes is allowed before each jump.

The contestant may begin at any height and may pass at any height. 3 successive misses results in elimination, even if the misses are at different height. Touching the cross bar is acceptable as long as it doesn't fall . To decide on a tie, the competitor with the fewest misses at the last cleared height wins. If there is still tie, the competitor with the fewest misses wins, but if a tie still exists after that each competitor is given one extra jump. If a ties remains still, the bar is raised or lowered until the tie is broken. High jumpers must take off from one foot.

Competitors may use a pole of any length and made of any material or combination of material. They are given two minutes to make a vault. When the competition is reduced to 2 or 3 competitors, the time limit is extended to 4 minutes. The runway is at least 40 m long. The vaulter may place 1 / 2 markers along the runway to assist in timing of approach and take off.

The vaulters plant their poles in a rigid box sunk level with the ground. The box is 1m long. It is 60cm wide at the front and 15cm at the back (stop bopard). The crossbar is 4.5m long. As in high jump, vaulters may touch the bar, but not let it fall. All other rules including tie breaking rules are he same as those for high jump.

The runway must be at least 40m long, preferably 45m long. Contestants may place 1 / 2 makers on the runway to assist with timing of run up and take off. A valid jump must be made form behind the far edge of the takeoff board, which is 8 inches wide, and level with the ground.

A plasticine indicator on the board abuts the take off from the board to help determine fouls. Somersaults are not allowed. The time limit is 1 1 / 2 minutes per jump. The jump is measure from the nearest impression made in the sand by any part of the jumpers body. The competition begins with a qualifying round ad the results are not carried to the final. The first 8 are allowed three more jumps.

Previously known as hop, step and jump, which accurately describes this event. The contestants land on the same foot with which they take off, take one step onto the other foot, and then jump. Other rules are the same as those for long jump.

A shot is a 16 pound ball made of iron/brass. It must be put rather than thrown and must not drop below the level of the contestants shoulder. The shot circle is 2.135m in diameter. The wooden stop board at the front of the circle is 10cm high. A competitor must not leave the circle until the shot lands. 12 finalists are given 3 tries. The top8 are then given 3 more.

The men's discus weighs 2kg and has a diameter of 22cm. The discus circle has a diameter of 2.5m.

The hammer is a 16 pound metal sphere attached to a grip by the means of a spring of steel wire not longer than 3 feet11 3 / 4 inches. It is thrown from a circle with a diameter of 2.135m. Most throwers spin around 3 / 4 times before releasing the implement.

The javelin throw weighs a minimum of 800g and measure between 2.60m and 2.70m. The shaft may be either wood or metal. A valid throw occurs when the metal head breaks the turf. The javelin is thrown on the run and must be released above the shoulder. The runway is between 30m and 36,5m long. Competitors may place 1 / 2 marks along the runway to assist in their run up. Spinning around before throwing an javelin is illegal, since this techniques could seriously discourage spectators from coming anywhere near the part of the stadium where the javelin competition is taking place.

Consists of 10 events held over a 2 day period. The first day, athletes take part in the: 100m dash, long jump, shot-put, high jump and the 400m run. On the second day athletes take a part in: 110m hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and the 1500m run. The rules for these events are the same as those for the individual events. Exceptions are , in the running event, 2 false starts instead of one and in long jump and throwing events, they only get three attempts each.

Track and field has been the centre piece of the Olympic Games since its founding in 1986. In 1928 women's events were introduced. All events will take place in the Olympic Stadium, except for the men's marathon which starts in the North Sydney Oval. The Olympic Stadium is situated in Sydney Olympic Park.

Track and Field:Top 5 Countries

	Male			Female
Country	G	S	B	G	S	B	Total
Unites States	251	188	159	36	24	14	672
Soviet Union	37	37	42	34	39	35	214
Great Britain	44	57	43	5	20	13	182
Finland	47	33	29	-	2	-	111
GDR	14	14	14	24	23	21	110