MECHANICAL AIDS REGULATIONS(Approved by Council on 10 March 2022 and effective from 25 March 2022)

General Information
In the case of general queries regarding these Regulations, please contact:
Communications Department
World Athletics
6‐8, Quai Antoine 1er, BP 359, MC 98007 Monaco Cedex
Email: newsinfo@worldathletics.org
In the case of confidential queries regarding cases affected by these Regulations, pleasecontact:
Review Officer
Competition and the Health & Science Departments
World Athletics
6‐8, Quai Antoine 1er, BP 359, MC 98007 Monaco Cedex
Email: marp@worldathletics.org

Specific Definitions
The words and phrases used in these Regulations that are defined terms (denoted by initial
capital letters) will have the meanings specified in the Constitution and the Generally
Applicable Definitions, or (in respect of the following words and phrases) the following
meanings:“Applicable Competition” means a competition that holds a permit issued by either World
Athletics, an Area Association or a National Federation where all relevant World Athletics’Rules and Regulations are complied with and consequently at which World Ranking Points(see: www.worldathletics.org/world-rankings/introduction and www.worldathletics.org/worldranking-rules/basics) are obtained. For competitions holding a permit issued by their National
Federation, in addition the National Federation must endorse the competition as being valid
for World Athletics’ statistical and results purposes.
“Applicable Person” means the persons and entities described in Rule 1 of the Integrity Codeof Conduct.
“Application Form” means the application form to be submitted to World Athletics inaccordance with Regulation 4.1 (available on the World Athletics website and available on
request from the Review Officer).
“Chief Executive Officer (or their nominee)” means the chief executive officer of World
Athletics or their Staff nominee.
“Independent Expert” means a biomechanics or other suitably qualified expert appointed
by the Chief Executive Officer (or their nominee) from time to time to conduct testing and/or
consider matters arising under these Regulations.
“Jumping Events” means High Jump, Long Jump, Pole Vault and Triple Jump as defined in
the Technical Rules.
“MASH” means ‘Maximum Allowable Standing Height’, the formula used by World Para
Athletics to determine the maximum permitted standing height in competition of an athlete
who is eligible for Para athletics on the basis of a bilateral lower limb deficiency and requires
the use of two leg prostheses in order to compete (which formula is based on measurementsof that athlete’s other body segments) and competes in sport class T/F61 or T/F62 in Para
athletics.
“Mechanical Aid” means (as applicable) (1) one or more passive prosthetic devices(including a running specific prosthetic) that is used by an athlete with a physical impairment
to enable them to compete in athletic events, or (2) any other aid or device from time to time
designated as a Mechanical Aid by World Athletics.
“Mechanical Aids Review Panel” means the panel of persons appointed by the Council tohear and determine applications arising under these Regulations (or fulfil such other roles
and responsibilities as may be delegated by Council from time to time) in accordance with its
Terms of Reference.
“Race Walking Event” has the same meaning as defined in the Technical Rules.
“Regulations” means these Mechanical Aids Regulations as amended from time to time.
“Review Officer” means the member of Staff (or their nominee) designated by the Chief
Executive Officer (or their nominee) to act on World Athletics’ behalf in matters arising underthese Regulations.
Mechanical Aids Regulations, approved by Council on 10 March 2022, effective from 25 March 20223

“Running Events” means Road Races, Track Events and Cross-Country, Mountain & Trail
Races as defined in the Technical Rules.
“Staff” means any person employed or engaged by World Athletics to undertake work for it,or on its behalf (including those employed or engaged to work with the Integrity Unit, unlessspecified otherwise).
“Technical Rules” means the rules set out at Book C - C2.1 of the Book of Rules available
at: https://www.worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/book-of-rules“Throwing Events” means Discus Throw, Hammer Throw, Javelin Throw and Shot Put as
defined in the Technical Rules.
“World Athletics Series Event” means the World Athletics Championships, the World
Indoor Championships, the World Athletics Relays, the World Athletics U20 Championships,
the World Athletics Road Running Championships, the World Athletics Race Walking TeamChampionships and the World Athletics Cross Country Championships.
“World Para Athletics” means the international federation for para athletics, as recognisedby the International Paralympic Committee.

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Mechanical Aids Regulations, approved by Council on 10 March 2022, effective from 25 March 2022

1.

Overview

1.1

World Athletics, as the international federation responsible for the global governanceand regulation of the sport of Athletics, has adopted these Regulations further to Articles
4.1 (a), (c), (d), (e) and (j) of the Constitution and Technical Rule 6.3.4 in order tofacilitate the participation in Applicable Competitions of athletes that use a Mechanical
Aid as a consequence of a physical impairment, in accordance with the following
imperatives:
1.1.1World Athletics needs to establish competition and technical rules forparticipation in the sport of Athletics that (a) guarantee fair and meaningfulcompetition that displays and rewards the fundamental values andmeaning of the sport, (b) define and preserve the nature of the sport, inparticular that performances (including records) in athletics are achieved
through the primacy of human endeavour over technology, and (c) protect
the health and safety of participants.

1.1.2

World Athletics wishes to be as inclusive as possible and recognises thatsuch competition and technical rules may in some cases necessarily also
operate as eligibility conditions for certain athletes.

1.1.3

World Athletics wishes to encourage and facilitate the participation in
Applicable Competitions of athletes who use a Mechanical Aid as aconsequence of a physical impairment, on conditions that go only so far
as is necessary to protect the fundamental nature, values and meaning of
the sport, to deliver on the promise of fair and meaningful competition
offered by the Competition Rules and the Technical Rules (in particular theprohibition of assistance to athletes), and to protect the health and safetyof athletes.

1.1.4

The requirements, processes, and conditions for authorisation andpermission of the use of a Mechanical Aid that are established in theseRegulations are driven solely by the desire to guarantee fairness within the
sport. They are in no way intended as any kind of assault on the dignity of
any athlete who uses a Mechanical Aid, and the need to respect andpreserve the dignity and privacy of such athletes, and to avoid improper
discrimination and stigmatisation on grounds of disability, is paramount. All
cases arising under these Regulations must be handled and resolved in afair, consistent, and confidential manner, recognising the sensitive natureof such matters.

1.2

These Regulations will come into effect on 25 March 2022 and will apply both to cases
arising prior to that date and to cases arising after that date. They are binding on andmust be complied with by athletes, Member Federations, Area Associations, Athlete
Representatives, Member Federation Officials, and all other Applicable Persons. These
Regulations will be subject to periodic review to take account of any relevant scientific,
medical or other developments and may be amended from time to time by World
Athletics, with such amendments to take effect from the date specified by World
Athletics when it issues the amendments.

1.3

Since the Regulations are intended to operate globally, regulating the conditions forparticipation in international-level events, they are to be interpreted and applied not byreference to national or local laws, but rather as an independent and autonomous text,
and in a manner that protects and advances the imperatives identified above.

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1.4

In the event an issue arises that is not foreseen in these Regulations, it will be addressedby World Athletics in a manner that protects and promotes the imperatives identified
above.

2.

Application

2.1

These Regulations establish the process by which athletes with a physical impairment
may be authorised to use a Mechanical Aid in Applicable Competitions.

2.2

An athlete who wishes to participate in an Applicable Competition using a Mechanical
Aid agrees as a condition to such participation:
2.2.1

to comply in full with these Regulations;

2.2.2

to cooperate promptly and in good faith with the Review Officer and the
Mechanical Aids Review Panel in the discharge of their respective
responsibilities under these Regulations, including (a) providing them withall of the information and evidence they request to assess their complianceand/or monitor their continuing compliance with the eligibility conditions
referred to in these Regulations, and (b) on request by World Athletics,
participating fully and in good faith in physical and performance testing,
MASH measurement collection, and other investigations pursuant toRegulation 4.2.2 and/or 5.2;

2.2.3

(to the fullest extent permitted and required under applicable dataprotection and other laws of the Principality of Monaco) to consent to thecollection, processing, disclosure and use of information (including their
sensitive personal information) as required to implement and apply theseRegulations effectively and efficiently; and2.2.4

to follow exclusively the procedures set out in Regulation 7 to challengethese Regulations and/or to appeal decisions made under theseRegulations, and not to bring any proceedings in any court or other forum
that are inconsistent with that Regulation.

2.3

An athlete may revoke at any time, with or without giving reasons, the consent that they
have granted in accordance with Regulation 2.2. In that event, the athlete will bedeemed to have withdrawn any claim to satisfy the authorisation conditions for use of a
Mechanical Aid at Regulation 3 (other than Regulation 3.2.2) and, if that athlete hasreceived authorisation to use a Mechanical Aid in Applicable Competitions inaccordance with Regulation 4, that authorisation will be automatically withdrawn.

2.4

Every Applicable Person and person and/or entity who brings him/herself/themselves
within the jurisdiction of World Athletics by providing information to World Athletics
pursuant to Regulation 5.8:

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2.4.1

is bound by and must comply in full with these Regulations, including inparticular only providing accurate and complete information, and notproviding any information in bad faith or for any improper purpose; and2.4.2

must cooperate promptly and in good faith with the Review Officer and the
Mechanical Aids Review Panel in the discharge of their respective
responsibilities under these Regulations.

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2.5

Each Member Federation must cooperate with and support World Athletics in theapplication and enforcement of these Regulations, and to observe strictly theconfidentiality obligations set out at Regulation 8.

2.6

Each Member Federation is entitled to adopt its own regulations to determine theeligibility of athletes that use a Mechanical Aid to compete in events (except for
Applicable Competitions) taking place under its own jurisdiction. For the avoidance of
doubt, anything that a Member Federation does, or does not do, at national level will
not affect the eligibility of athletes that use a Mechanical Aid to compete in ApplicableCompetitions. That will instead be determined exclusively by reference to theseRegulations.

3.

General prohibition, and requirements for authorisation

3.1

Use by an athlete of a Mechanical Aid in Applicable Competitions is prohibited unless(1) authorised in advance by World Athletics in accordance with the process at
Regulation 4, or (2) permitted in accordance with Regulation 3.2.2.

3.2

Effect of authorisation or lack of authorisation:
3.2.1

3.2.2

3.3

If an athlete is authorised by World Athletics to use a Mechanical Aid:a.

(subject always to Regulation 5.2, any conditions to the authorisation
made pursuant to Regulation 4.3.2, and Regulation 3.5) the athlete will
be eligible to compete using the Mechanical Aid in ApplicableCompetitions; andb.

the competition organiser will list the athlete’s results in the same
category to those of the other competitors (and, where applicable, notethe athlete’s ‘sport class’ pursuant to World Para Athletics’classification rules) and the results will be valid for World Athletics’
purposes.

If an athlete is not authorised by World Athletics to use a Mechanical Aid(whether because the athlete has failed to comply with the application
process, revoked their consent pursuant to Regulation 2.3 or because theathlete’s application has not been authorised):a.

(subject always to Regulation 3.5) the athlete will be eligible to competeusing the Mechanical Aid in Applicable Competitions other than World
Athletics Series Events and the athletics programme at the Olympic
Games; andb.

the competition organiser will list the athlete’s results in a separate
category to those of the other competitors (and, where applicable, notethe athlete’s ‘sport class’ pursuant to World Para Athletics’classification rules) and the results will not be valid for World Athletics
purposes.

Subject to Regulation 3.4, in determining whether to authorise the use of a MechanicalAid by an athlete in Applicable Competitions, World Athletics will consider the following:
3.3.1

Whether use of the Mechanical Aid will, on the balance of probabilities,
provide the athlete with an overall competitive advantage when comparing(a) the performance that the athlete who uses a Mechanical Aid is capable

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of achieving while competing with their impairment and their MechanicalAid; and (b) the performance that that same athlete would hypotheticallyhave been capable of achieving in the same event if they were competing
without their impairment and without that Mechanical Aid. If the MechanicalAid will provide the athlete with an overall competitive advantage, its use
will not be authorised.

3.4

3.3.2

The phrase ‘overall competitive advantage’ requires a weighing of theadvantages and disadvantages of those athletic performances. If theathlete who uses a Mechanical Aid has an overall competitive advantage
then they possess an advantage that an athlete who does not require useof a Mechanical Aid does not (cannot) possess.

3.3.3

In any case where World Athletics does not authorise use by an athlete ofa Mechanical Aid, it is World Athletics’ burden to prove that use of that
Mechanical Aid will provide that athlete with an overall competitive
advantage. The applicable standard of proof is the balance of probabilities.

When World Athletics considers applications for authorisation made pursuant toRegulation 3.1 and 4, the following athletes will benefit from a rebuttable presumptionthat use of a Mechanical Aid will not provide them with an overall competitive advantage:
3.4.1

An athlete who does not have legs or part of their legs and applies for
authorisation to use Mechanical Aids so the athlete competes at or below
their MASH (as assessed and decided by the appropriate World Para
Athletics panel) in Running Events or a Race Walking Event or Throwing
Events.

3.4.2

An athlete who does not have one leg or part of one of their legs andapplies for authorisation to use a Mechanical Aid in Running Events or a
Race Walking Event or Throwing Events, or Jumping Events (excluding
the Triple Jump) provided the athlete takes off from their biological leg.

3.4.3

An athlete who does not have one or both arms or part of both arms who
applies for authorisation to use a Mechanical Aid in Running Events or a
Race Walking Event or Jumping Events.

3.4.4

An athlete who does not have one arm or part of one of their arms who
applies for authorisation to use a Mechanical Aid in Running Events or a
Race Walking Event, Jumping Events or in Throwing Events provided theathlete throws using their biological arm.

These rebuttable presumptions operate without prejudice to the Review Officer’s
discretion at Regulation 4.2.2 or the Review Officer’s power to investigate further at any
time at Regulation 5.2 and failure at any time by World Athletics to rebut (or attempt to
rebut) any rebuttable presumption will not mean World Athletics has waived any rights
in any relevant case.
3.5

For the avoidance of doubt:
3.5.1

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The requirements for authorisation for an athlete to use a Mechanical Aid
set out in these Regulations operate without prejudice to (a) the othereligibility requirements that are applicable to all athletes (whether suchathletes use Mechanical Aids or not) under the rules of World Athletics,and (b) any qualification or entry standards or other requirements
Mechanical Aids Regulations, approved by Council on 10 March 2022, effective from 25 March 2022

applicable to any particular athletics competition, all of which must also besatisfied (as applicable) at all relevant times.
3.5.2

Subject to compliance with all other Rules and Regulations, any athletewith an impairment who does not require use of a Mechanical Aid tocompete (for example, a deaf athlete or a partially sighted athlete) neednot make any application under these Regulations prior to competing inApplicable Competitions. If any athlete with an impairment competes in an
Applicable Competition, the Referee may consider whether to exercise thediscretion allocated to them in Competition Rule 18.

4.

Application process for authorisation

4.1

Application:
4.1.1

An athlete who wishes to obtain authorisation to use a Mechanical Aid in
Applicable Competitions must complete and submit to the Review Officer
an Application Form and all relevant supporting information. An athlete,
who has a bilateral lower limb deficiency and requires the use of two leg
prostheses in order to compete, wishing to apply for authorisation to use
Mechanical Aids must have their MASH assessed and determined by theappropriate World Para Athletics panel before submitting an Application
Form to World Athletics. For the avoidance of doubt, such athletes must
submit with their Application Form evidence of the outcome of their World
Para Athletics MASH assessment applicable for the current World Para
Athletics season (at the time the application is made). An extract from theWorld Para Athletics Classification Master List will be an acceptable formof evidence.

4.1.2

The Application Form must be submitted accompanied by the documents
requested on it, including: (a) evidence demonstrating the athlete’s
impairment; (b) information (including make and model and any relevant
settings and bespoke components) regarding the specific Mechanical Aid
for which authorisation is sought; (c) information regarding the specificathletic event(s) for which authorisation is sought; (d) (if applicable) theathlete’s MASH and constituent body segment measurements (asmeasured and calculated by a World Para Athletics classification panel);(e) (if applicable) the data from any physiological performance and/or
biomechanical testing conducted on the athlete using their Mechanical Aid(and any analysis and/or expert opinion based on that data) that might berelevant to the Mechanical Aids Review Panel’s consideration of thematter; and (f) any other evidence that the athlete considers relevant to the
Mechanical Aids Review Panel’s consideration of the matter.

4.1.3

The athlete is responsible for ensuring that the information provided isaccurate and complete, and that nothing relevant to the Mechanical Aids
Review Panel's assessment of the case is withheld.

4.1.4

If applicable, the athlete must also provide the appropriate consents andwaivers (in a form satisfactory to the Review Officer) to enable their
physician(s) to disclose to the Review Officer and the Mechanical Aids
Review Panel any information that the Mechanical Aids Review Paneldeems necessary to its assessment.

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4.1.5

4.2

Review of the application and investigation by World Athletics:
4.2.1

On receipt of the Application Form, the Review Officer will review the
Application Form and supporting documents, (if necessary) communicate
with the athlete and/or the athlete's representative to remedy any obvious
deficiencies.

4.2.2

In response to any application, and in their sole discretion, the Review
Officer may conduct further investigations and enquiries, and gather
additional evidence, including (without limitation):

4.2.3

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Subject always to Regulation 4.3.4, to ensure that authorisation is received
in good time, the athlete must submit the Application Form to the Review
Officer at least twenty-four (24) weeks in advance of the first ApplicableCompetition in which they wish to participate (although, in practice, insome cases the authorisation might be straightforward and take a much
shorter time to determine and if so the Review Officer will waive strict
application/consequences of this deadline). If the athlete wishes tocompete in any particular competition, they should familiarise themselveswith any relevant qualification rules for that competition to ensure that
authorisation is received in good time to obtain qualifying performances inaccordance with those rules (and there is enough time for an appeal inaccordance with Regulation 7 if authorisation is refused and if the athlete
is so advised).

a.

liaising, co-ordinating with and obtaining advice from other World
Athletics Commissions, Working Groups and departments, or otherrelevant persons; and/orb.

obtaining opinion from Independent Experts on specific issues;c.

commissioning performance testing and analysis from Independent
Experts; and/ord.

obtaining MASH measurements from the athlete (measured andcalculated by a World Para Athletics classification panel).

If the Review Officer exercises their discretion pursuant to Regulation 4.2.2
to conduct further investigations and enquiries and gather additional
evidence, the Review Officer will submit to the Mechanical Aids Review
Panel (with a copy to the athlete):a.

World Athletics’ recommendation regarding the application forauthorisation;b.

any proposed conditions to the authorisation (for example, for use onlyin certain events, or for use only of a specified brand and/or model
and/or specific Mechanical Aid);c.

any evidence relied on, such as evidence from any Independent
Expert;d.

any other supporting documents; andMechanical Aids Regulations, approved by Council on 10 March 2022, effective from 25 March 2022

e.

the Application Form and all documents filed in support of theapplication,
as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of the application.
World Athletics recognises the need for applications to be dealt with as
expeditiously as reasonably practicable, but the integrity andeffectiveness of the investigations regarding what is a complex issue
must not be compromised.

4.3

4.2.4

If World Athletics’ recommendation to the Mechanical Aids Review Panelis anything other than to authorise the use of the Mechanical Aid asrequested in the application, the athlete may, ordinarily within two weeks
of receipt of World Athletics’ recommendation, submit to the Review Officer(who will forward to the Mechanical Aids Review Panel) any submissions
regarding World Athletics’ recommendation (along with any supporting
evidence that would not have been available prior to the date of theapplication).

4.2.5

If the applicant athlete submits a substantive response in accordance with
Regulation 4.2.4, World Athletics may, ordinarily within two weeks ofreceipt of the applicant athlete’s submission, submit to the Mechanical Aids
Review Panel (with a copy to the athlete) any submissions regarding World
Athletics’ recommendation (along with any supporting evidence that would
not have been available prior to the date of the application).

Determination of the application by the Mechanical Aids Review Panel:
4.3.1

Ordinarily within two weeks of receipt of the final recommendation or
submission anticipated by Regulation 4.2, the Mechanical Aids Review
Panel will request from the parties any further information it may require(in such form as the Mechanical Aids Review Panel may require it) anddetermine the application on the papers and issue to World Athletics andthe athlete a reasoned decision.

4.3.2

If the Mechanical Aids Review Panel authorises the athlete’s use of a
Mechanical Aid, it may place conditions on the authorisation (for example,
that the athlete may use a specific Mechanical Aid only and/or use that
Mechanical Aid in certain athletics events/disciplines only). The
Mechanical Aids Review Panel may issue an official document (such as acertificate) confirming its authorisation which may include any conditions,
including specifications (dimensions, brand etc.) of the Mechanical Aid
authorised to be used by the athlete or, if applicable, the athlete’s MASH,
which the athlete must bring with them to any Applicable Competition they
compete at.

4.3.3

The Mechanical Aids Review Panel's decision will be final and binding on
all parties. It may only be challenged by way of appeal in accordance with
Regulation 7.

4.3.4

The Mechanical Aids Review Panel will complete its assessment as soon
as is reasonably practicable in all of the circumstances of the case and,ideally, within the deadlines set out in this Regulation 4. However, in nocircumstance (in particular, irrespective of whether a consideration of theauthorisation is triggered by an application by the athlete or by aninvestigation by World Athletics) will World Athletics or any member of the

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Mechanical Aids Review Panel be liable for any detriment allegedly
suffered by the athlete or anyone else as a result of the length of time taken
by World Athletics or the Mechanical Aids Review Panel to complete its
assessment.
4.4

An athlete or the Review Officer may request an extension to any deadline set out inthis Regulation 4 to the Mechanical Aids Review Panel which, at the sole discretion of
the Mechanical Aids Review Panel, shall be either granted or denied.

5.

Monitoring/investigating compliance

5.1

The Review Officer may monitor an athlete's compliance with these Regulations and/or
the terms of any authorisation issued at any time, with or without notice, whether byrandom or targeted inspection and/or assessment of the athlete's Mechanical Aid and/or(if applicable) take a measurement of the athlete’s height to verify whether or not theathlete is competing at or below their MASH (and the athlete agrees to comply with allreasonable requests for this purpose) and/or by any other appropriate means.

5.2

Further to Regulation 5.1 the Review Officer (or their nominee) may instruct anappropriately qualified and authorised official or Referee at an Applicable Competition
to inspect an athlete’s Mechanical Aid and/or (if applicable) to conduct a measurementof the athlete’s height to verify whether or not the athlete is competing at or below their
MASH.

5.3

Where, pursuant to Regulation 4.3.2, an athlete has been issued with a certificate by
the Mechanical Aids Review Panel they must be ready to produce on request suchcertificate at any time for inspection by the Review Officer or any appropriately qualified
and authorised official or Referee at an Applicable Competition.

5.4

If an athlete fails an inspection and/or measurement pursuant to Regulation 5.2 or fails
to produce a certificate pursuant to Regulation 5.3 then the athlete’s use of a Mechanical
Aid at that Applicable Competition will be regarded as unauthorised. The athlete may
only compete at the Applicable Competition in accordance with Regulation 3.2.2, unlessthe Applicable Competition is either a World Athletics Series Event or the Olympic
Games, in which case the athlete will be ineligible to compete.

5.5

In addition to the general power to monitor continuing compliance with theseRegulations and/or the terms of any authorisation issued, the Review Officer may
investigate, at any time:

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5.5.1

whether an athlete who is or appears to be using one or more Mechanical
Aids in Applicable Competition is not authorised to do so;

5.5.2

whether (because of a subsequent change in circumstances, subsequent
learning or experience, or otherwise) it is necessary to require an athlete
who has previously been authorised to use one or more Mechanical Aidsin accordance with these Regulations to provide further information,
undergo further performance testing and analysis by Independent Experts,
and/or further determination of authorisation by the Mechanical Aids
Review Panel; and/or

5.5.3

any circumstances that indicate potential non-compliance with theseRegulations and/or any authorisation issued;

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and in such cases the athlete in question must cooperate fully and in good faith withthat investigation.
5.6

Where necessary to safeguard the fairness and/or integrity of competition and/or thesafety of the competitors, the Review Officer (acting on behalf of World Athletics) may
provisionally suspend:
5.6.1

the athlete from competing in a World Athletics Series Event and/or the
Olympic Games;

5.6.2

the athletes’ results from any relevant Applicable Competitions; and/or

5.6.3

the authorisation previously granted to the athlete pending resolution of
the matter;
provided that in such cases all reasonable endeavours should be used tocomplete the investigation as expeditiously as reasonably practicable. Anysuch provisional suspension or suspension of authorisation may bechallenged by way of appeal in accordance with Regulation 7.2.1.

5.7

Only the Review Officer may initiate an investigation under Regulation 5.2, and theyshould only do so in good faith and on reasonable grounds, such as (for example)
information from the athlete themself, the Member Federation to which the athlete isaffiliated, or an national-level competition or Applicable Competition official or referee.

5.8

The dignity of every individual must be respected. All forms of abuse and/or harassment
are prohibited. In particular (but without limitation):
5.8.1

Any Applicable Person, person and/or entity that provides information to
the Review Officer for consideration under these Regulations is under astrict obligation: (a) to ensure that the information is accurate andcomplete; and (b) not to provide any information in bad faith, to harass,stigmatise or otherwise injure an athlete, or for any other improper
purpose, and such information will be dealt with in strict confidence inaccordance with Regulation 8.

5.8.2

No stigmatisation or improper discrimination on grounds of disability will
be tolerated. In particular (but without limitation), persecution or campaigns
against athletes simply on the basis of their appearance or their use of a
Mechanical Aid are unacceptable. Any such conduct will be considered aserious breach of these Regulations.

5.9

If it is determined at any time that (other than in accordance with Regulation 3.2.2) anathlete has competed at an Applicable Competition while using a Mechanical Aid
without authorisation or beyond the terms of the issued authorisation then (without
prejudice to any other action that may be taken) the Review Officer will disqualify theindividual results obtained by the athlete at that competition, with all resulting
consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, ranking points, prize money, or otherrewards awarded to the athlete based on those results.

6.

Disciplinary proceedings

6.1

Where:

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6.1.1

an athlete competes in an Applicable Competition using one or more
Mechanical Aids without authorisation by World Athletics to do so (otherthan in accordance with Regulation 3.2.2);

6.1.2

an athlete who has been authorised by World Athletics to compete inApplicable Competitions using a Mechanical Aid competes in an
Applicable Competition using a Mechanical Aid that is beyond the terms of
the authorisation issued by World Athletics (other than in accordance with
Regulation 3.2.2);

6.1.3

an athlete who has been authorised by World Athletics to compete inApplicable Competitions using a Mechanical Aid, and who has notrenounced their eligibility to so compete, fails to cooperate fully and in goodfaith with the efforts of the Review Officer to determine their continuing
compliance with these Regulations and/or the terms of the authorisation;

6.1.4

an Applicable Person or other person or entity has been complicit in a
breach of or non-compliance with these Regulations by an athlete;

6.1.5

a person or entity breaches Regulation 5.8; and/or

6.1.6

there has been any other breach of or non-compliance with theseRegulations;

World Athletics may refer any potential breach of these Regulations by an Applicable
Person or other person or entity to the Athletics Integrity Unit. Any potential breach ofthese Regulations by such Applicable Person or other person or entity may amount toa breach of the Integrity Code of Conduct and may be subject to investigation andprosecution by the Athletics Integrity Unit under the Athletics Integrity Unit Reporting,
Investigation and Prosecution Rules (Non-Doping) and possible proceedings under theDisciplinary Tribunal Rules.
6.2

In any disciplinary proceedings taken pursuant to this Regulation 6, an athlete may not
challenge the validity of these Regulations or of any decision made under theseRegulations. Instead such challenge may only be brought by way of challenge or appeal
in accordance with Regulation 7.

6.3

In any disciplinary proceedings pursuant to this Regulation 6, the sanctions that may be
imposed, depending on all of the circumstances of the case, will include (without
limitation):

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6.3.1

a caution, reprimand and/or warning as to future conduct;

6.3.2

the disqualification of individual results obtained by the athlete at
Applicable Competitions, with all resulting consequences, including
forfeiture of any medals, ranking points, prize money, or other rewards
awarded to the athlete based on those results;

6.3.3

a specified period of ineligibility to participate in Applicable Competitions;

6.3.4

a withdrawal or suspension for a specified period of, or amendment to, theauthorisation granted to the athlete;

6.3.5

a fine; and/or

Mechanical Aids Regulations, approved by Council on 10 March 2022, effective from 25 March 2022

6.3.6if the breach involves more than two members of a national representative
team of a Member Federation, or if there are multiple breaches involving
such a team, appropriate sanctions on the team and/or the Member
Federation (e.g., disqualification of team results; imposition of a period of
future ineligibility to participate in Applicable Competitions; a fine).

7.

Dispute resolution

7.1

The validity of these Regulations may only be challenged by way of ordinary
proceedings filed before the CAS and/or as part of an appeal to the CAS made pursuant
to Regulation 7.2.

7.2

The following decisions (and only the following decisions) made under theseRegulations may be appealed to the CAS, in accordance with this Regulation 7:
7.2.1

a decision by the Review Officer to suspend an athlete provisionally fromcompetition and/or to suspend authorisation previously granted to an
athlete pursuant to Regulation 5.6 may be appealed by the athlete, inwhich case World Athletics will be the respondent to the appeal;

7.2.2

a decision by the Mechanical Aids Review Panel that the athlete may notcompete in Applicable Competitions using Mechanical Aids may be
appealed by the athlete, in which case World Athletics will be therespondent to the appeal; and7.2.3

a decision by the Mechanical Aids Review Panel that the athlete maycompete in Applicable Competitions using Mechanical Aids may be
appealed by World Athletics, in which case the athlete will be therespondent to the appeal.

7.3

Any such challenge or appeal will be conducted in the English language and will begoverned by the Constitution, rules and regulations (in particular these Regulations),
with the laws of Monaco applying subsidiarily, and in the case of any conflict between
any of the above instruments and the CAS Code of Sports-Related Arbitration, theabove instruments will take precedence. The CAS will hear and determine thechallenge/appeal definitively in accordance with the CAS Code of Sports-Related
Arbitration provided that in any appeal the appellant will have fifteen days from the filingof the Statement of Appeal to file their/its Appeal Brief, and the respondent will havethirty days from their/its receipt of the Appeal Brief to file its Answer. Pending that
determination, the Regulations under challenge and/or the decision under appeal (asapplicable) will remain in full force and effect unless the CAS orders otherwise.

7.4

The decision of the CAS will be final and binding on all parties, and no right of appeal
or other challenge will lie from that decision on any ground, except as set out in Chapter
12 of the Swiss Federal Code on Private International Law.

8.

Confidentiality

8.1

All cases arising under these Regulations, and in particular all athlete information
provided to World Athletics under these Regulations, and all results of examinations
and assessments conducted under these Regulations, will be dealt with in strict
confidence at all times. All medical information and data relating to an athlete will betreated as sensitive personal information and the Review Officer will ensure at all times
that it is processed as such in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy
laws. Such information will not be used for any purpose not contemplated in these

Mechanical Aids Regulations, approved by Council on 10 March 2022, effective from 25 March 202215

Regulations and will not be disclosed to any third party save (a) as is strictly necessary
for the effective application and enforcement of these Regulations; or (b) as is requiredby law.
8.2

World Athletics will not comment publicly on the specific facts of a pending case (asopposed to general descriptions of the process and science involved) except in
response to public comments attributed to the athlete or the athlete's representatives.

8.3

Each member of the Mechanical Aids Review Panel must sign an appropriate conflictof interest declaration and confidentiality undertaking in relation to their work as amember of the panel.

9.

Costs

9.1

Except for the cost of any investigations conducted and/or testing required by World
Athletics and agreed reasonable travel and/or accommodation costs of the athlete
attending testing with an Independent Expert required by World Athletics, the costs
involved in applying under and complying with these Regulations (including the travel
and/or accommodation costs of their associates or representatives associated withattending testing and analysis required by World Athletics) will be borne by the relevant
athlete.

9.2

The standing costs of the Mechanical Aids Review Panel will be borne by World
Athletics.

10.

Limitation of liability

10.1 In no circumstances will World Athletics, any member of the Mechanical Aids Review
Panel, or any of World Athletics' Staff, officers, agents, representatives, and/or otherpersons involved in the administration of these Regulations be liable in any way inrelation to acts done or omitted to be done in good faith in connection with theadministration of these Regulations.

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Mechanical Aids Regulations, approved by Council on 10 March 2022, effective from 25 March 2022