The chief official at a short track speed skating competition is the referee. The referee oversees the assignment of competitors to heats, determines when the ice must be resurfaced and monitors the races. The referee and assistant referees also ensure fair racing. The competition officials have the power to disqualify skaters and can also advance a skater to the next round if he or she has been knocked down by another skater committing a passing foul.

Another key race official, the starter, is responsible for ensuring all skaters receive a fair start. Short track speed skaters are allowed one false start before being disqualified.

The timers provide manual back-up to the electronic timing system, the finish-line judges determine the official order of finish, and the lap recorders keep track of the laps remaining in the race and pass this information on to the skaters. Lap recorders also ring a bell to signify the start of the last lap.

Track stewards replace corner blocks if they are kicked out of position and watch for skaters skating inside the blocks. The competitor’s steward assigns the skaters to heats, keeps track of race results and prepares the final standings.