What Is a Wind Legal Time in Track & Field?
Summary
Not every blazing sprint or jump counts as a record. For a performance to be recognized officially, it must be wind-legal: the aiding wind can’t exceed +2.0 meters per second (m/s). Anything above that is considered “wind-aided.” This rule ensures fairness and comparability across performances.
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Why Wind Matters in Track & Field
Tailwind: Pushes athletes forward, artificially improving times or distances.
Headwind: Slows athletes down, but doesn’t invalidate performances.
Neutral: 0.0 m/s is ideal but rare.
Wind is measured with an anemometer near the track or runway, typically over a set distance/time window during the race or attempt.
The Wind-Legal Standard: +2.0 m/s
≤ +2.0 m/s: Time or mark is wind-legal.
> +2.0 m/s: Wind-aided (valid for competition results, but not records).
| Wind Reading | Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| -1.5 m/s | Legal | Headwind; slower than potential |
| +0.8 m/s | Legal | Neutral/ideal |
| +2.0 m/s | Legal (max allowable) | Counts for records/qualifying |
| +2.1 m/s | Wind-aided | Valid for placement, not for records |
Events That Require Wind Measurement
Sprints: 100m, 200m, and sprint hurdles.
Horizontal Jumps: Long jump and triple jump.
Not required: 400m+, throws, vertical jumps (HJ/PV).
Why +2.0 m/s?
Set by World Athletics for global fairness.
Chosen as the cutoff where wind advantage becomes “unreasonable.”
Creates consistency when comparing records from different eras.
Wind-Aided Performances
Still valid for medals and meet placement.
Cannot be used for records, all-time lists, or qualifying standards.
Example: A 9.79 100m with +2.5 wind beats slower competitors, but isn’t recognized as a legal record.
FAQs
Q1: What’s the difference between wind-aided and wind-legal?
Wind-legal (≤ +2.0) counts for records; wind-aided (> +2.0) doesn’t.
Q2: Does headwind make records “extra valid”?
No, but a fast time into a headwind shows extraordinary ability.
Q3: Why isn’t wind measured in 400m+ events?
Because the wind changes direction around the track and evens out across lanes.
Q4: Do indoor marks require wind readings?
No — indoor facilities are wind-neutral.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
Wind limit: +2.0 m/s max for legal marks.
Applies to sprints, hurdles, long jump, triple jump.
Over the limit = valid race result, but not record-eligible.
Always check the wind reading when evaluating times or distances.
👉 Learn more by checking out our Track & Field Records Database or dive into our Sprint Training Guides for performance tips.
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