Editing Competition number (section)

[[File:Olympic Games 1980 - 5000 m race.jpg|thumb|right|Competition numbers on bibs of competitors in the [[Athletics at the 1980 Summer Olympics – Men's 5000 metres|1980 Olympic 5000m]]]]

In many [[sport]]s, a '''competition number''' is used to identify and differentiate the competitors taking part in a competitive endeavour. For example, runners in a race may wear prominent competition numbers so that they may be clearly identified from a distance.  Competition numbers are differentiated from [[Number (sports)|uniform numbers]] in that the former are used for a specific event (for example, competition numbers worn by [[marathon]] runners) while the latter persist over time through multiple events, seasons, or sometimes an entire career (for example, uniform numbers worn by [[Major League Baseball]] players).

Competition numbers may also be called '''bib numbers''' when worn on [[Bib (garment)|bibs]] over, or affixed to, the athletes' tops.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.runningcount.com/what-are-bib-numbers.php |title=What are Bib Numbers and Racing Bibs? |website=runningcount.com |accessdate=April 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/84601/why-do-some-olympic-athletes-wear-paper-numbers |title=Why Do Some Olympic Athletes Wear Paper Numbers? |first=Jake |last=Rossen |website=mentalfloss.com |date=August 15, 2016 |accessdate=April 10, 2020}}</ref> With new technology, bibs might contain timing chips for electronic identification.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mylaps.com/timing-solutions-active/bibtag/ |title=BibTag System |website=mylaps.com |accessdate=April 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.innovativetimingsystems.com/timing-chips |title=Innovative Timing Systems Chips |website=innovativetimingsystems.com |accessdate=April 10, 2020}}</ref> In addition to identifying an athlete, many high profile events also imprint sponsor logos. In such high profile events, bib numbers are mandatory. Failure to wear them could make an athlete subject to disqualification.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lamarathon.com/event-info/rules |title=Rules: Event Entry & Registration Requirements |publisher=[[Los Angeles Marathon]] |website=lamarathon.com |accessdate=April 10, 2020}}</ref>