Wind assistance

Wind assistance is the increase in an athlete’s speed caused by a tailwind. In sprint record-keeping, measured wind speed determines whether a performance qualifies for record purposes.

Aerodynamic drag: Aerodynamic drag is the force exerted by air that opposes an object’s motion through it. A tailwind reduces the athlete’s air-relative speed and therefore the opposing drag.
World Athletics: World Athletics is the international governing body for track and field athletics. Its competition rules define how wind readings affect records and performance validity.
Headwind: A headwind is wind blowing against the direction of travel. Unlike a tailwind, it generally increases air resistance and slows a sprinter.
Athletics world record: An athletics world record is the best performance officially recognized by World Athletics in an event. Wind eligibility determines whether a sprint performance can become an official world record.
Relative wind: Relative wind is airflow experienced by a moving object, determined by its motion and the surrounding air. Wind assistance depends on airflow relative to the runner, not wind speed alone.
100 metres: The 100 metres is a track sprint covering one straight length of a standard outdoor track. Its records are subject to the familiar maximum tailwind allowance of 2.0 metres per second.
Crosswind: A crosswind blows across an athlete’s direction of travel rather than directly with or against it. It differs from the direct tailwind measured for sprint record eligibility.
Sprint world record progression: A sprint world record progression lists officially ratified record performances in a sprint event over time. Wind rules exclude some exceptionally fast times from the official sequence.
Wind tunnel: A wind tunnel is a facility that produces controlled airflow for studying aerodynamic forces. Wind-tunnel measurements help quantify how airflow changes drag on a runner.
Long jump: The long jump is a field event in which athletes leap for distance from a takeoff board. Its performances also have a wind limit for record recognition.

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