Hysplex
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Hysplex (Greek: ὕσπληγξ) is a starting gate used in ancient Greek horse and foot races. This device was set up at the starting line and comprised of an upright vertical bar that held a horizontal gate attached to it held up by a string. Each racer stood behind his own hysplex and all of the strings were centrally connected behind the runners held by a referee. At the start of the race, the referee let go of all the strings and consequently the starting gates fell at the same time releasing the runners.
