startlistor

Startlistor are official publications used in competitive events to designate which competitors will start, in what order, and under what conditions. They are commonly released before a race, heat, or round and may be revised up to the moment the event begins. In many Scandinavian languages, startlistor is the plural form of startlista or startlist, and the term is often used interchangeably with the English start lists.

A typical start list includes the event details (name, date, venue), the round or heat designation, and for each entrant a number of data fields such as the athlete or team name, nationality, affiliated club or country, seed or ranking, bib or lane number, and scheduled start time. In some sports the list also specifies the order of start, lane assignments, or staggered start times.

The production of startlistor is usually the responsibility of event organizers, national federations, or international governing bodies. They are compiled from entry lists and seeded information, and may be published as provisional versions before final confirmation. Updates can occur to reflect withdrawals, injuries, or disqualifications. Startlists are disseminated in digital formats on official websites and apps, and may also be printed at venues for athletes, officials, and spectators.

Usage and significance vary by sport. They aid athletes in preparation and strategy, assist officials in organizing timing and lane assignments, support media and broadcasters in scheduling, and provide spectators with information about who competes and when. In multi-stage events, separate start lists are issued for each round, heat, or phase.