What does the red and black card mean in athletics at Paris 2024 Olympics?

EVERY athlete would have dreamt of securing a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – but they need to avoid the red and black cards.

Approximately 10,500 athletes have been training for the past four years to top their respective podiums.

And with there being over 40 events, loads of medals will be up for grabs in Paris.

However, athletics participants in particular will have to be cautious of the dangerous red and black card as it has a massive impact on where they finish in their race.

Find out what the red and black card is below…

What does the red and black card mean in athletics?

The diagonal red and black card is issued to an athlete if a false start has been made.

A false start is when the runner moves before or within 0.1 seconds of the gun and If there is a false start, the race is stopped.

Previously, one false start resulted in a warning to the entire field, while a second led to disqualification regardless of the athlete.

This meant that one athlete could false start without disqualification but if there was a second by another athlete, the racer responsible would be instantly exiled from the race.

However, the rule has now changed to anyone who false starts will be disqualified immediately.

Who has been disqualified from a false start?

Jeremiah Azu from Team GB got disqualified for a false start in the 100m heats at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt was disqualified at the 2011 World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea for a false start.

Britain’s Reece Prescod got exiled from the men’s 100m semi-finals in Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

And Britain’s woes continued in the same Olympic Games as Zharnel Huges was disqualified from the 100m final.