 For sprint races up to 400 m , the starter gives two commands : " on your marks " to instruct athletes to approach the start line , followed by " set " to advise the athletes that the start of the race is imminent . The commands of the starter are typically given in the native language in national competitions , or in English or French in international competitions . Once all athletes are set in their starting position , the gun or an approved starting apparatus must be fired or activated . If the starter is not satisfied that all are ready to proceed , the athletes may be called out of the blocks and the process started over . 
 For sprint races up to 400 m , the starter <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>gives</mark></a> two commands : " on your marks " to instruct athletes to approach the start line , followed by " set " to advise the athletes that the start of the race is imminent . The commands of the starter are typically given in the native language in national competitions , or in English or French in international competitions . Once all athletes are set in their starting position , the gun or an approved starting apparatus must be fired or activated . If the starter <a href='negative_concord' title='2'><mark>is</mark></a> <a href='negative_concord' title='3'><mark>not</mark></a>satisfied that all are ready to proceed , the athletes may be called out of the blocks and the process started over . 
For sprint races up to 400 m , the starter give two commands : " on your marks " to instruct athletes to approach da start line , followed by " set " to advise the athletes that tdastart of the race is imminent . The commands of the starter r typically given in the native language in national competitions , or in English or French in international competitions . Once alll athletes are set in their starting position , the gun or an approved starting apparatus must be fired or activated . If the starter ain't satisfied dat all arready to proceed , the athletes may b called out of thdalocks and the process started over .