Staffetta

Staffetta is a term used in Italian to denote a relay race, in which a team of athletes runs successive legs of a distance and passes a baton from one runner to the next. The aim is to complete the course in the fastest time while maintaining proper baton exchanges.

In track and field, staffette are common events such as the 4x100 metres and the 4x400 metres, as well as medley relays and mixed-relay formats. Relays may be run in lanes or on a track with a designated exchange zone, depending on the event. Beyond track, relay formats appear in cross-country and road racing, where teams divide the distance into segments and hand over to teammates.

Key elements of staffetta competition include team composition and order, baton-passing technique, and the timing of handovers. Exchanges must occur within a defined exchange zone; an improper exchange can lead to disqualification. The final leg, often called the anchor leg, is typically assigned to a runner trusted to finish strongly. Officials enforce rules related to passing, impediments, and lane violations to ensure fair competition.

Historically, relay events have been a longstanding part of athletics and the Olympic program, valued for teamwork, strategy, and speed. The concept of staffetta has also entered broader language as a metaphor for the handover or succession of duties and responsibilities between people or groups, signaling continuity and collaboration.