competition number

Since the 2000s, track and field athletes at major competitions wear their names as well as their numbers on their bibs. In relay events, all team members have the IOC country code. Track athletes also wear lane numbers on the shorts called "hip numbers", for identification by the fully automatic timing system which photographs athletes from the side as they cross a finish line. In racewalking events, competitors also must wear numbers on their backs for identification by the judges after a violation has been detected.

In mixed competitions, like marathons, where professional athletes run on the same course as non-elite athletes, the professionals traditionally wear bibs with their names to differentiate their pre-race status.{{cite news |url=https://www.outsideonline.com/2392523/belay-tilahun-nyc-half-marathon-winner |title=How a "Non-Elite" Runner Won the NYC Half |first=Martin Fritz |last=Huber |website=outsideonline.com |date=March 22, 2019 |accessdate=April 10, 2020}}

File:Cheruiyot.jpg| Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot in the 2006 Boston Marathon with number on front of bib

File:Aselefech Mergia 6618.jpg| 2009 World marathon runner with surname on front of bib

File:3000 steeple final Berlin 2009.jpg | 2009 World steeplechase runners with numbers on the back of bibs

File:4 x 400 m Jamaica Berlin 2009.JPG| 2009 World 4 × 400 m relay team with "JAM" for the Jamaican team

In some types of motorsport, such as rallys, competition numbers are attached to the vehicles taking part in a specific event. The competition number can also be used in conjunction with some kinds of timing systems, such as targa timing.

File:Dakar-rally-paris1992-.jpg|Cars of the 1992 Dakar Rally, with competition numbers visible

File:Audi Quattro - 2008 Rallye Deutschland.jpg|A rally competitor displaying competition number C166

File:Camion dakar.jpg|A rally support truck, with competition number 624 visible

File:Joan Barreda Piloto Amv Dakar 2016 (137839365).jpeg|A motorcycle rally competitor, with competition number 6 visible

Other sports that may utilize competition numbers include:

• Alpine skiing
• Biathlon
• BMX racing
• Gymnastics
• Snowboarding
• Triathlon

File:Pippa Middleton at downhill ski race in Mürren, Switzerland - 03.jpg|Alpine skiers

File:Biathlon Oberhof 2013-039.jpg|Biathaletes

File:2018-10-15 Gymnastics at 2018 Summer Youth Olympics – Girls' Artistic Gymnastics – Apparatus finals – Balance beam (Martin Rulsch) 719.jpg|Gymnast

File:Speedsuit.jpg|Triathlete

While the uniform numbers of various sportspeople have become well-known (for example, Wayne Gretzky's 99, Michael Jordan's 23, and Mickey Mantle's 7), this is rare for competition numbers, which generally are used by an athlete only for a single event. Some notable exceptions include:

• 6 used by Paul Bikle, a gliding competitor. The Bikle T-6, a glider, was named for Bikle's competition number and the T-tailed design of the aircraft.Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 37. Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
• 13 in cycling, which is commonly worn upside-down due to triskaidekaphobia.{{cite web |url=https://www.letape.nl/the-13-kit/ |title=The 13 Kit |website=letape.nl |accessdate=April 11, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bicycling.com/news/g20009291/do-you-know-these-cycling-rituals/?slide=3 |title=Do You Know These Cycling Rituals? |first=Whit |last=Yost |website=bicycling.com |date=November 17, 2016 |accessdate=April 11, 2020}}
• 51 in the Tour de France, due to a false belief that it has been worn by more winners than any other number.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/1396/tour-de-france-the-legend-of-bib-number-51 |title=Tour de France: The legend of bib number 51 |first=Felix |last=Lowe |website=cyclist.co.uk |date=June 30, 2016 |accessdate=April 10, 2020}}
• 261 in the Boston Marathon, due to it being worn by Kathrine Switzer in the 1967 edition of the event, when she became the first woman to run the race as a numbered entrant.{{cite news |url = https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/7803502/2012-boston-marathon-how-kathrine-switzer-paved-way-female-runners |title = How Kathrine Switzer paved the way |last = Lorge Butler |first = Sarah |date = April 12, 2012 |work = ESPN |accessdate = July 13, 2012 }} Switzer later created a non-profit organization named 261 Fearless.{{cite web |url=https://www.261fearless.org |title=261 Fearless |website=261fearless.org |accessdate=April 10, 2020}}

At the 2019 Boston Marathon, organizers gave special bib numbers to several celebrities. Former NFL player Tedy Bruschi was given 5454, his uniform number repeated; NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson was given 4848, his car number with Hendrick Motorsports repeated; and Joan Benoit Samuelson was given 1979, the year of her first win in the event.{{cite news|url=https://patch.com/massachusetts/boston/boston-marathon-2019-top-men-women-celebrities-watch |title=Boston Marathon 2019: Top Men And Women, Celebrities To Watch |first=Jenna |last=Fisher |website=Patch.com |date=April 15, 2019 |accessdate=April 11, 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/36afd558b3a140d6962ceedeea3df395 |title=NASCAR driver Johnson runs Boston Marathon in 3:09:07 |first=Jimmy |last=Golen |agency=Associated Press |website=apnews.com |date=April 15, 2019 |accessdate=April 10, 2020}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite web |url=https://www.triathlete.com/culture/can-bib-number-affect-performance/ |title=Can Your Bib Number Affect Your Performance? |first=Julia |last=Polloreno |website=triathlete.com |date=October 5, 2017 |accessdate=April 11, 2020}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0sVVT4r40A Thousands Of Runners Grab Bib Numbers, Gear At Boston Marathon Expo] from CBS Boston via YouTube
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpbWLRrS-Cc Triathlon Race Day Tips | Race Belt and Race Number] via YouTube

{{Retired numbers in sports}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Competition Number}}

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