finishgebied

Finishgebied is a Dutch term used primarily in the context of sports events to denote the finish area—the zone surrounding the finish line where the race ends, times are recorded, and winners are declared. The word combines finish, a loanword from English, with gebied, meaning area or region.

In practice, the finishgebied includes elements such as the finish line or arch, timing mats, barriers to manage crowds, and a designated space for media, volunteers, and event staff. It may also include a medical post and spectator areas. Organizers use the finishgebied to control access, ensure crowd safety, and facilitate accurate post-crossing activities like photo and video finishes, result processing, and podium announcements.

The terminology helps distinguish between the literal boundary of the finish line (the finishlijn) and the surrounding zone where finishing procedures take place. While finishlijn refers to the line itself, finishgebied refers to the broader area that supports the final phase of the event. The term is most common in Dutch-language sports administration, event planning, and media coverage. Outside of sports contexts, finishgebied is rarely used, though the general idea—an endpoint zone for concluding processes—can appear in other domains.

Overall, finishgebied serves as a practical concept for organizing the moment of completion, ensuring accurate results, safety, and orderly handling of participants and spectators at the end of an event.