False starts: the applicable procedure
ISU · 2026ISU events and the Olympic and Youth Olympic Games use a zero-false-start procedure: an offending skater receives a penalty rather than a free false start. The rules also penalize specified delays and incorrect starting positions. If a skater causes another to follow an early movement, responsibility lies with the skater who caused it.
The rule
ISU events and the Olympic and Youth Olympic Games use a zero-false-start procedure: an offending skater receives a penalty rather than a free false start. The rules also penalize specified delays and incorrect starting positions. If a skater causes another to follow an early movement, responsibility lies with the skater who caused it.
In practice
Other international competitions may announce the alternative allowing a single false start for the race. Under that option, a subsequent false start by any skater excludes the offender; the allowance is not personal to each participant. Check the event announcement, since applying the older allowance universally would give the wrong result.
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