2. TRACK & FIELD EVENTS

2.1. RANKING METHOD

In force from 1 January 2024.

The ranking system is based on the two main elements of all Athletics performances: the measured results of athletes (result score) and their placing during competitions (placing score).
The combination of these elements provides the athletes’ performance for each competition in which they participate (performance score).

RESULT SCORE + PLACING SCORE = PERFORMANCE SCORE

Athletes’ performances can be considered in all competitions from grass roots to elite international level. However, the results must be in accordance with the World Athletics Rules and Regulations in force, and World Athletics or one of its Area Associations or Member Federations must have officially ratified the results.

2.2. RESULT SCORE

  1. The Result Scores are calculated using the latest editions of the World Athletics Scoring Tables of Athletics (by Dr. Bojidar Spiriev) which can be found here.
  2. The environment of the competition will determine whether the outdoor or indoor scoring tables must be used.
  3. For disciplines not included in the latest editions of the World Athletics Scoring Tables of Athletics, there are special Scoring Tables developed in full conformity with the World Athletics versions.
  4. The World Rankings consider only results which were achieved at a competition conducted according to the World Athletics Rules.
  5. Results achieved with underage equipment or implements (in hurdles and throwing events), are not considered for the Rankings.
  6. Intermediate splits during a competition are not considered as a result for the athlete and thus are not included in the World Rankings.
  7. The initial Result Score may be altered taking into consideration the following factors:
    • Wind reading
    • Best Legal Jump (BLJ)

2.2.1. Wind Reading

  1. In order to establish a valid ranking, wind-aided results are included in the ranking. However, as adverse winds also influence the results, the Rankings also take headwinds into account.
  2. The wind modification applies in the following events:
    • 100m
    • 200m
    • 100m Hurdles
    • 110mHurdles
    • Long Jump
    • Triple Jump
  3. A Wind Modification System has been defined (see Table 2.1) which modifies the Result Scores depending on both the strength and direction of the wind. In case of a headwind, it adds points to the Result Score while, in case of a tail wind, it deducts points from the Result Score. There is no wind modification between 0 m/s and +2.0 m/s, so in case of a tail wind, the deduction of points starts from +2.1 m/s, while the calculation of the points to be deducted still starts from 0.0 m/s. 1 m/s wind is equivalent to 6 points according to the World Athletics Scoring Tables. For wind readings in between those identified in the following table, the allocation of points is ±0.6 points for every ±0.1 m/s (i.e. +0.5 m/s = -3 points). If there is no wind information for results in the above events (NWI), 30 points are deducted from the Result Score.

Table 2.1. Wind modification system for Track & Field Events (some examples)

Tail Wind Head Wind
+4 m/s -24 pts -4 m/s +24 pts
+3 m/s -18 pts -3 m/s +18 pts
+2 m/s -0 pts -2 m/s +12 pts
+1 m/s -0 pts -1 m/s +6 pts
+0 m/s -0 pts -0 m/s +0 pts

2.2.2. Best Legal Jump (BLJ)

In Long Jump and Triple Jump, if the final result is wind-aided, then the best legal jump of the athlete (a performance with wind less than or equal to 2.0 m/s) can be considered as the Result Score, should it give better Result Score to the athlete after the wind modification applied to it.

2.3. PLACING SCORE

  1. Placing Score is awarded for the placing achieved by the athlete at a competition.
  2. Competitions are categorised, and the Placing Scores are different in each Category. There are 10 different categories for the purposes of Placing Scores. The Placing Scores obtainable at each competition vary according to the level and significance of the competition. The category “OW” reflects the strongest competitions and consequently awards the most points. For example, the Placing Scores available at the World Athletics Championships or at the Olympic Games are much higher than those at any other competition. See 2.4 - Categories of Competitions.
  3. Placing Scores can only be received in the Final of a competition. In the heats, quarter-finals or semi-finals and in qualifications, athletes obtain only Result Scores with no additional Placing Scores. However, in the “OW”, “DF”, “GW” and “GL” categories, Placing Scores are awarded for placings in the round before the Final as well.
  4. In certain cases, Placing Scores may also be different within an Event Group, depending on whether the discipline is a Main Event or a Similar Event.
  5. In the case of Cross Country, where there are substantial differences between courses, athletes are awarded straight Performance Scores.
  6. In Area Championships, Games and National Championships Placing Scores can only be awarded to athletes representing their Area and Home Country respectively. Athletes representing a foreign Member Federation or other Areas are regarded as out of competition participants (OC) and only receive Result Scores for their performances, regardless of their original position indicated in the official results of the competition.
  7. In case a competition belongs to more than one Category, the most favourable Placing Score is considered for each athlete based on the positions achieved in the different classifications.

2.3.1. Track & Field Event Groups (except 5000m, 10,000m and 3000mSC)

Placing Scores for the Track & Field Event Groups (except the 5000m, 10,000m and 3000mSC) are shown in the following tables.

Placing Scores are normally awarded only in the Final of the competition however, to give more depth in placings, in Categories OW, DF, GW and GL Categories there are Placing Scores awarded in the last round before the Final as well.

Table 2.2. Placing Scores for Track & Field Events in the Final of the competitions

Place OW DF GW GL A B C D E F
1st 375 240 200 170 140 100 60 40 25 15
2nd 330 210 170 145 120 80 50 35 21 10
3rd 300 185 150 130 110 70 45 30 18 5
4th 270 170 140 120 100 60 40 25 15  
5th 250 155 130 110 90 55 35 22 12  
6th 230 145 120 100 80 50 30 19 10  
7th 215 135 110 90 70 45 27 17    
8th 200 125 100 80 60 40 25 15    
9th 130 90 70 60            
10th 120 80 60 50            
11th 110 70 50 45            
12th 100 60 45 40            
13th 95                  
14th 90                  
15th 85                  
16th 80                  

 

Table 2.3. Placing Scores for Track and Field events in the round before the Final – if Final is of max. 9 athletes

Place OW DF GW GL
Q or q to Final 140 95 80 70
9th * 130 * 90 * 70 * 60 *
10th 120 80 60 50
11th 110 70 50 45
12th 100 60 45 40
13th 85      
14th 80      
15th 75      
16th 70      

* If not Q or q to Final

 

Table 2.4. Placing Scores for Track and Field events in the round before the Final– if Final is of 10 or more athletes

Place OW DF GW GL
Q or q to Final 100 65 50 40
11th * 95 * 55 * 40 * 35 *
12th * 90 * 50 * 35 * 30 *
13th * 85 *      
14th * 80 *      
15th * 75 *      
16th * 70 *      

* If not Q or q to Final

 

2.3.2. 5000m and 3000mSC Event Group

Placing Scores for the events in the 5000m and 3000mSC Event Groups are slightly different from the other Track & Field events due to the fact that, in these Event Groups, there are only 3 performances required for Ranking.

Placing Scores are normally only awarded in the Final of the competition however, to give more depth in placings, in Categories OW, DF, GW and GL Categories, there are Placing Scores awarded in the last round before the Final, as well.

 

Table 2.5. Placing Scores for 5000m and 3000mSC in the Final of the competitions

Place OW DF GW GL A B C D E F
1st 305 210 180 150 100 70 50 35 20 12
2nd 270 185 160 135 90 60 40 27 16 7
3rd 240 160 140 120 80 50 35 22 12 4
4th 220 145 120 105 70 45 30 19 10  
5th 200 130 110 90 60 40 26 16 9  
6th 185 120 100 80 50 35 23 14 8  
7th 175 110 90 70 45 30 20 12    
8th 165 100 80 60 40 25 18 10    
9th 110 70 55 45            
10th 100 60 45 40            
11th 90 55 40 35            
12th 80 50 35 30            
13th 75                  
14th 70                  
15th 65                  
16th 60                  

 

Table 2.6. Placing Scores for 5000m and 3000mSC in the round before the Final in OW Category

Place OW
Q or q to Final 80
10-13th * 75 *
14th * 70 *
15th * 65 *
16th * 60 *

* If not Q or q to Final

 

Table 2.7. Placing Scores for 5000m and 3000mSC in the round before the Final if Final is of max. 9 athletes

Place DF GW GL
Q or q to Final 80 60 70
9th * 70 * 55 * 60 *
10th 60 45 50
11th 55 40 45
12th 50 35 40

* If not Q or q to Final

 

Table 2.8. Placing Scores for 5000m and 3000mSC in the round before the Final if Final is of 10 or more athletes

Place DF GW GL
Q or q to Final 50 35 30
11th * 45 * 30 * 25 *
12th * 40 * 25 * 20 *

* If not Q or q to Final

 

2.3.3. 10,000m Event Group

Placing Scores for the events in the 10,000m Event Group are slightly different from the other Track & Field events, due to the fact that in this Event Group there are only 2 performances required for Ranking.

To give more emphasis to the Main Event of this Group, there are different Placing Score tables for the 10,000m (Main Event), and for the 10km Road Race (Similar Event).

 

Table 2.9. Placing Scores for 10,000m

Place OW DF GW GL A B C D E F
1st 280 175 140 110 80 60 45 30 20 10
2nd 250 150 120 90 70 50 38 22 14 6
3rd 225 135 105 75 60 45 32 18 10 3
4th 205 120 90 65 50 40 26 16 8  
5th 185 105 80 55 45 35 22 14 7  
6th 170 95 70 50 40 30 19 12 6  
7th 155 85 60 45 35 25 17 11    
8th 145 75 50 40 30 20 15 10    
9th 95 50 40 30            
10th 85 40 32 25            
11th 75 35 27 22            
12th 65 30 24 20            
13th 60                  
14th 55                  
15th 50                  
16th 40                  

 

Table 2.10. Placing Scores for 10km Road Race

Place OW DF GW GL A B C D E F
1st 95 70 60 45 30 20 10      
2nd 85 60 50 38 22 14 6      
3rd 75 50 45 32 18 10 3      
4th 65 45 40 26 16 8        
5th 55 40 35 22 14 7        
6th 50 35 30 19 12 6        
7th 45 30 25 17 11          
8th 40 25 20 15 10          
9th 35                  
10th 30                  
11th 25                  
12th 20                  

 

2.4. CATEGORIES OF COMPETITIONS

Placing Scores are distributed according to the categorisation of competitions, subject to the following:

  1. World Athletics has the exclusive right to determine to which Category a given competition should be assigned. Categorisation of Area Permit competitions (Championships, Games and invitation meetings) will be agreed with the corresponding Area Association. Specific national permit competitions (other than National Senior Championships) will be placed in category E as designated by the Member Federation in agreement, and subject to quotas established by the World Athletics. All other national permit competitions are placed in category F.
  2. During a calendar year, only one National Senior Championships per each Member Federation can award Placing Scores according to the Categorisation as shown below. In case a Member Federation organizes more than one National Championships in any discipline within one calendar year, the first such competition is regarded as the National Championships unless the MF informs World Athletics otherwise, prior to the beginning of the season.
  3. Only those events of a competition are entitled to receive the Category as listed below – and thus the corresponding Placing Scores – which are held primarily for the purpose of the competition for which the corresponding Category was awarded. Extra or supplementary events, national or youth events during international invitational meetings, etc. are considered as Category F regardless of the Category of the main competition during which the event was held.

Table 2.11. Categories of Competitions

Category Details
OW Olympic Games
World Athletics Championships
DF Diamond League Finals*
GW World Athletics Indoor Championships
World Athletics Cross Country Championships (senior race)
Diamond League Meetings (DL disciplines only)
World Athletics Continental Tour Gold (Hammer Throw only)
GL Area Senior Outdoor Championships
A Major Games (All-African, Asian, Commonwealth, Pan American, European, South Amercian)
Diamond League Meetings (Additional international events with at least 50% of DL prize money)
World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Meetings**
World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold Level Meetings**
Area Senior Indoor Championships
B Regional Games & Athletics Championships (Universiade, Francophone Games Ibero-American Championships, CAC Games, Balkan Championships)
World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meetings**
World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver Meetings**
Area second tier Championships (European Team Championships 1st Division, European 10,000m Cup)
National Senior Championships (In Outdoor Main Events)
NCAA Div. I Outdoor Championships
C World Athletics Series - U20 events (World U20 Championships)
World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze Meetings**
World Athletics Indoor Tour Bronze Meetings**
Asian Grand Prix Series
Area third tier Championships (Area U23 Championships, European Team Championships 2nd Division, Area Throwing Cup) and in Similar Events
Regional Games & Championships (Arab Championships, Mediterranean Games, CISM World Games)
NCAA Div. I Indoor Championships
D Regional Championships, Games and Cups - third tier (First and senior division only)
World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger Series
World Athletics Indoor Tour Challenger Series
Area fourth tier Championships (Area U20 Championships, Area Club Championships [first division only], European Team Championships 3rd Division)
Traditional International Meetings: - subject to application and Area approval (e.g.: Finnkampen, Baltic Countries Championships, Games/Championships of the Small States of Europe)
National Senior Championships (in Main Events held in indoor environment and in all Similar Events)
Mediterranean U23 Championships
Youth Olympic Games
E International Matches (Senior - Subject to WA / Area Permit)
National Winter Throwing Championships (senior events only)
Designated (national permit) meetings and competitions (Subject to MF/WA approval)
Area U18 Championships
European Youth Olympic Festival
Mediterranean U23 Indoor Championships
F National permit meetings
Other competitions

* Athletes who are NOT invited based on their standings in the Diamond League prior to the Final (i.e. Wild Card athletes) will receive Diamond League ranking points (GW category) and not Diamond League Final ranking points (DF category).

** Only events awarding official Prize Money in accordance with the Tour Regulations

 

2.5 PERFORMANCE SCORE

The Performance Score is obtained by adding the Result Score to the Placing Score:

Result Score + Placing Score = Performance Score

2.6. EVENT GROUPS, MAIN EVENTS AND SIMILAR EVENTS

Track & Field Event Rankings are produced in 36 Event Groups. Performances in each of the 36 Event Groups count separately for the Event Rankings. Athletes can be ranked in all the different Event Groups where they achieve a sufficient number of performances.

 

Table 2.12. Track & Field Event Groups

Nr. Event Group Main Event Similar Events
1. Men's 100m 100m 50m, 55m, 60m
2. Men's 200m 200m 200m sh
3. Men's 400m 400m 300m, 300m sh, 400m sh, 500m, 500m sh
4. Men's 800m 800m 600m, 600m sh, 800m sh, 1000m, 1000m sh
5. Men's 1500m 1500m 1500m sh, Mile, Mile sh, 2000m, 2000m sh, Mile Road Race
6. Men's 5000m 5000m 3000m, 3000m sh, 2 Miles, 2 Miles sh, 5000m sh, 5km Road Race
7. Men's 10,000m 10,000m 10km Road Race
8. Men's 110mH 110mH 50mH, 55mH, 60mH
9. Men's 400mH 400mH  
10. Men's 3000mSC 3000mSC 2000mSC
11. Men's High Jump High Jump  
12. Men's Pole Vault Pole Vault  
13. Men's Long Jump Long Jump  
14. Men's Triple Jump Triple Jump  
15. Men's Shot Put Shot Put  
16. Men's Discus Throw Discus Throw  
17. Men's Hammer Throw Hammer Throw  
18. Men's Javelin Throw Javelin Throw  
19. Women's 100m 100m 50m, 55m, 60m
20. Women's 200m 200m 200m sh
21. Women's 400m 400m 300m, 300m sh, 400m sh, 500m, 500m sh
22. Women's 800m 800m 600m, 600m sh, 800m sh, 1000m, 1000m sh
23. Women's 1500m 1500m 1500m sh, Mile, Mile sh, 2000m, 2000m sh, Mile Road Race
24. Women's 5000m 5000m 3000m, 3000m sh, 2 Miles, 2 Miles sh, 5000m sh, 5km Road Race
25. Women's 10,000m 10,000m 10km Road Race
26. Women's 100mH 100mH 50mH, 55mH, 60mH
27. Women's 400mH 400mH  
28. Women's 3000mSC 3000mSC 2000mSC
29. Women's High Jump High Jump  
30. Women's Pole Vault Pole Vault  
31. Women's Long Jump Long Jump  
32. Women's Triple Jump Triple Jump  
33. Women's Shot Put Shot Put  
34. Women's Discus Throw Discus Throw  
35. Women's Hammer Throw Hammer Throw  
36. Women's Javelin Throw Javelin Throw  

 

2.7. REQUIRED NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES

In order to be ranked, athletes must collect a sufficient number of Performance Scores and some of them must come from Main Events. These vary depending on the Event Group (reference is made to Table 2.12).

2.7.1. Minimum number of Performance Scores

  • In all Event Groups, except Men’s and Women’s 5000m, 10,000m and 3000mSC (Nr.6,7,10 & Nr. 24,25,28), the minimum number of Performance Scores is five (5).
  • In Men’s and Women’s 5000m and 3000mSC Event Groups (Nr.6,10 & Nr.24, 28) the minimum number of Performance Scores is three (3).
  • In Men’s and Women’s 10,000m Event Groups (Nr.7 & Nr.25) the minimum number of Performance Scores is two (2).

2.7.2. Minimum number of Performance Scores in the Main Events

  • In all Event Groups, except Men’s and Women’s 5000m, 10,000m and 3000mSC (Nr.6,7,10 & Nr.24,25,28), the minimum number of Performance Scores in the Main Events is three (3).
  • In Men’s and Women’s 5000m and 3000mSC Event Groups (Nr.6,10 & Nr.24,28) the minimum number of Performance Scores in the Main Events is two (2).
  • In Men’s and Women’s 10,000m Event Groups (Nr.7 & Nr.25) the minimum number of Performance Score in the Main Event is one (1).

2.8. RANKING PERIOD

2.8.1. Track & Field events except the 10,000m

Only those Performance Scores are considered, which were obtained by the athlete in a 12 months period prior to the date of the Rankings.

2.8.2. 10,000m

Only those Performance Scores are considered, which were obtained by the athlete in an 18 months period prior to the date of the Rankings.

2.8.3. Overweighting

To avoid overweighting, competitions in the OW and DF Categories:

  • for the Event Groups with 12 months Ranking Period in the OW and DF categories only the latest edition of the same category competition will be included in the Rankings, regardless of the 12 months rule.
  • for the Event Groups with 18 months Ranking Period in the OW category the previous edition of the same category competition will be included in the Rankings with GL category Placing Scores until it is within the 18 months period. E.g., performances from the 2022 World Athletics Championships will score with GL category Placing Scores once the 2023 World Athletics Championships results are processed.

2.8.4. Area Senior Outdoor Championships

In order to ensure that performances achieved at the Area Senior Outdoor Championships are calculated in the Rankings, the latest editions of the Area Senior Outdoor Championships are included in the Rankings calculation regardless of whether they fall in the Events’ respective Ranking Period, given that they were held within 3 full calendar years (e.g. after 1st January in the 3rd year prior to the date of the Rankings).

2.9 WORLD RECORD BONUS

In case an athlete achieves a New World Record, or equals the World Record, bonus points are given as an extra reward for the obvious significance and promotional value of such performance. These World Record bonus points are added directly to the average of the Performance Scores to increase the Ranking Score of the athlete.

World Record bonus points are awarded for each world record performance achieved by the athlete in the ranking period, regardless of the fact that the performance is included in the Ranking calculation or not.

World Record bonus points are given as follows:

  1. Main Events
    • New World Record = 20 bonus points added to the average of Performance Scores
    • Equalling the World Record = 10 bonus points added to the average of Performance Scores
  2. Similar Events
    • New World Record = 10 bonus points added to the average of Performance Scores
    • Equalling the World Record = 5 bonus points added to the average of Performance Scores

2.10. RANKING SCORE

  1. The Rankings are based on the Ranking Scores. Athletes are ranked in the Event Rankings by their Ranking Scores.
  2. The Ranking Score is the average of Performance Scores.
  3. In order to be ranked, athletes must collect a sufficient number of Performance Scores and some of them must come from Main Events. Athletes who do not collect enough performances, cannot have a valid Ranking Score, and are thus ineligible for ranking. See details for each Event Group in the corresponding section.
  4. When calculating the Ranking Score the following factors are considered:
    • Event Groups, Main Events and Similar Events
    • Required number of performances for Ranking
    • Ranking period
    • World Record performances
  5. Tie break in case of same Ranking Score 
    In case two or more athletes have equal Ranking Scores, the tie for their Ranking position will be resolved in favour of the athlete with the best Performance Score. If the best Performance Scores are also equal, then the second best Performance Scores decide, and so on. If all Performance Scores used to make up the athlete's Ranking Score are equal, then the tie is not broken and the athletes remain ranked in the same position.