Finishlinjer

Finishlinjer, or finish lines, are the marked points or zones on a race course that indicate the completion of the event. They are used in a wide variety of competitive sports, including running, cycling, swimming, motorsport, and sledding, as well as in non‑competitive timed events such as marathon charity runs. The placement of a finish line is crucial because it defines the exact location where competitors are judged to have finished, which influences timing, record validity, and safety protocols.

In track and field, a finish line is traditionally set at the far end of the track and is marked with a horizontal line, often with a finish flag or a tape that moves from the sleeve of the medals for timing accuracy. For swimming, the finish occurs at the end of the pool where swimmers touch a sensor or a visible line. Cycling races may have a finish platform or a gate that signals the end, while motor racing typically uses a checkered flag at a designated corner of the circuit.

Technological advances have led to the use of photo finish cameras and laser timing systems placed precisely at the finish line to capture splits and determine winners in close races. In long-distance running, finish lines are often arranged with several parallel lanes to accommodate large numbers of finishers, each lane marked with tape and a clear bell line to signify the order of crossing.

The terminology "finishlinjer" is frequently used in Scandinavian languages, especially in Swedish, to refer to the same concept. These finish points are recognized by national and international governing bodies such as World Athletics and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, which stipulate specific dimensions and marking requirements to ensure fair competition.