Starting pistol

A starting pistol or starter pistol is a handgun (typically a specially designed revolver) that is fired to start track and field races, as well as competitive swimming races at some meets. The loud report of the gun going off is a signal to the athletes to begin the event. Blank shells or caps are used to prevent injury. Starting pistols are often modified versions of standard pistols, which are incapable of firing real bullets. When electronic timing is used, a sensor is often affixed to the gun which sends an electronic signal to the timing system upon firing.

One issue with the use of starting pistols is that, since the report of the pistol is carried to the competitors at the speed of sound, it is conceivable that the position nearest the starter would hear the report a few milliseconds before the other positions. This issue is exaggerated in races where the runners begin in a stagger, putting a significant distance between the nearest and furthest runners. To combat this problem, the pistol will sometimes be wired with a microphone that transmits the sound (at nearly the speed of light) to speakers positioned directly behind each competitor. For deaf competitors, the system often uses a strobe light instead.

In the UK starting pistols must be painted a bright colour in order to comply with the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006.

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