In track and field, the abbreviation DNS stands for "Did Not Start." It indicates that an athlete was registered and scheduled to compete in a race or event but did not actually begin the competition. This means the athlete did not show up at the starting line or withdrew before the start of the event for reasons such as injury, illness, or personal choice
. DNS is different from DNF , which means "Did Not Finish" -used when an athlete starts the race but fails to complete it
. DNS is often considered a safer or more cautious option than DNF, as it avoids the risks associated with competing while unprepared or injured
. In race results, DNS typically appears next to the athlete's name instead of a finishing time, often listed at the bottom of the results sheet to indicate non-participation despite registration
Summary:
- DNS = Did Not Start (registered but did not begin the event)
- Common reasons: injury, illness, withdrawal before start
- Appears in results instead of finish time
- Different from DNF (Did Not Finish), where the athlete started but did not complete the race
