Starting pistol

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.

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • starting pistol — or starting gun noun A small pistol used to give the signal for starting a race • • • Main Entry: ↑start * * * ˈstarting pistol 7 [starting pistol] noun a gun used for signalling the start of a race …   Useful english dictionary

  • starting pistol — ► NOUN ▪ a pistol used to signal the start of a race …   English terms dictionary

  • starting pistol — /ˈstatɪŋ pɪstl/ (say stahting pistl) noun a starting gun which is typically a specially designed revolver. Also, starter pistol …  

  • starting pistol — noun a pistol used to signal the start of a race …   English new terms dictionary

  • starting gun — see ↑starting pistol below. • • • Main Entry: ↑start starting pistol or starting gun noun A small pistol used to give the signal for starting a race • • • Main Entry: ↑start * * * starting gun UK [ˈstɑː( …   Useful english dictionary

  • starting — n. in senses of START v. Phrases and idioms: starting block a shaped rigid block for bracing the feet of a runner at the start of a race. starting gate a movable barrier for securing a fair start in horse races. starting handle Brit. Mech. a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • pistol — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ automatic, machine, semi automatic ▪ double action, single action ▪ 9 mm, .45 calibre/.45 caliber ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • pistol — n. 1) to cock; fire a pistol 2) to aim, point; level a pistol at 3) to load a pistol 4) to draw, whip out a pistol 5) an automatic; dueling; starting; toy; water pistol 6) the pistol fired, went off; jammed; misfired * * * [ pɪstl] dueling fire a …   Combinatory dictionary

  • starting — adj. Starting is used with these nouns: ↑bid, ↑block, ↑gate, ↑line, ↑pistol, ↑pitcher, ↑point, ↑position, ↑salary, ↑spot, ↑stall …   Collocations dictionary

  • starter pistol — /ˈstatə pɪstl/ (say stahtuh pistl) noun → starting pistol …  

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