<P> All races must be started by the report of the starter's gun or approved starting apparatus fired upwards after they have ascertained that athletes are steady and in the correct starting position . An athlete may not touch either the start line or the ground in front of it with their hands or feet when on their marks . </P> <P> For sprint races up to 400 m, the starter gives two commands: "on your marks" to instruct athletes to approach the start line, followed by "set" to advise the athletes that the start of the race is imminent . The commands of the starter are typically given in the native language in national competitions, or in English or French in international competitions . Once all athletes are set in their starting position, the gun or an approved starting apparatus must be fired or activated . If the starter is not satisfied that all are ready to proceed, the athletes may be called out of the blocks and the process started over . </P> <P> There are different types of starts for races of different distances . Middle - and long - distance races mainly use the waterfall start . This is when all athletes begin on a curved line that moves farther out at the outer edge of the track . Competitors are allowed to move towards the inside lane right away, as long as it is safe to do so . For some middle - distance races, such as 800 m, each athlete starts in their own lane . Once the gun fires, they must run in the lane they began in until markers on the track notify them it is time to move towards the inside lane . For sprint races, athletes begin in start blocks and must stay in their own lane for the entire race . </P> <P> An athlete, after assuming a final set position, may not commence his starting motion until after receiving the report of the gun, or approved starting apparatus . If, in the judgment of the starter or recallers, he does so any earlier, it is considered a false start . It is deemed a false start if, in the judgment of the starter an athlete fails to comply with the commands "on your marks" or "set" as appropriate after a reasonable time; or an athlete after the command "on your marks" disturbs other athletes in the race through sound or otherwise . If the runner is in the "set" position and moves, then the runner is also disqualified . As of 2010, any athlete making a false start is disqualified . </P>

Track and field history and the origins of the sport