Editing Track and field (section)

====Running the race====
[[File:Oscar Pistorius, the first round of the 400m at the London 2012 Olympic Games.jpeg|thumb|[[Oscar Pistorius]] running in the first round of the 400&nbsp;m at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]]]]
For sprinting events, except the 4 × 400&nbsp;m relay and the indoor 400&nbsp;metres, each athlete must run the race within their allocated lane from start to finish. If an athlete leaves their lane or steps on the line demarking each lane the athlete will be disqualified. Lane rules also apply for initial periods of other track races, for example, the beginning of the 800&nbsp;m. Similar rules apply for longer distance races when a large field of athletes is present and separate starting points are designated, with the field merging into one group shortly after the starting phase.<ref name="IAAF Rule 163.2">IAAF Rule 163.2</ref><ref name="IAAF Rule 163.3">IAAF Rule 163.3</ref>

Any athlete who jostles or obstructs another athlete, in a way that impedes his progress, should be disqualified from that event. However, if an athlete is pushed or forced by another person to run outside his lane, and if no material advantage is gained, the athlete should not be disqualified.<ref name="IAAF Rule 163.2"/><ref name="IAAF Rule 163.3"/>