Events Track and field

1 events

1.1 running

1.1.1 sprints
1.1.2 middle distance
1.1.3 long distance
1.1.4 relay races
1.1.5 hurdling


1.2 jumping

1.2.1 long jump
1.2.2 triple jump
1.2.3 high jump
1.2.4 pole vault


1.3 throwing

1.3.1 shot put
1.3.2 discus throw
1.3.3 javelin throw
1.3.4 hammer throw


1.4 combined events

events

track , field events divided 3 broad categories: track events, field events, , combined events. majority of athletes tend specialise in 1 event (or event type) aim of perfecting performances, although aim of combined events athletes become proficient in number of disciplines. track events involve running on track on specified distances and—in case of hurdling , steeplechase events—obstacles may placed on track. there relay races in teams of athletes run , pass on baton team member @ end of distance.

there 2 types of field events: jumps, , throws. in jumping competitions, athletes judged on either length or height of jumps. performances of jumping events distance measured board or marker, , athlete overstepping mark judged have fouled. in jumps height, athlete must clear body on crossbar without knocking bar off supporting standards. majority of jumping events unaided, although athletes propel vertically purpose-built sticks in pole vault.

the throwing events involve hurling implement (such heavy weight, javelin or discus) set point, athletes being judged on distance object thrown. combined events involve same group of athletes contesting number of different track , field events. points given performance in each event , athlete greatest points total @ end of events winner.

note: events in italics competed @ indoor world championships only

running
sprints


the finish of women s 100 m race

races on short distances, or sprints, among oldest running competitions. first 13 editions of ancient olympic games featured 1 event, stadion race, race 1 end of stadium other. sprinting events focused around athletes reaching , sustaining quickest possible running speed. 3 sprinting events held @ olympics , outdoor world championships: 100 metres, 200 metres, , 400 metres. these events have roots in races of imperial measurements later changed metric: 100 m evolved 100-yard dash, 200 m distances came furlong (or 1/8 of mile), , 400 m successor 440 yard dash or quarter-mile race.

at professional level, sprinters begin race assuming crouching position in starting blocks before leaning forward , gradually moving upright position race progresses , momentum gained. athletes remain in same lane on running track throughout sprinting events, sole exception of 400 m indoors. races 100 m largely focused upon acceleration athlete s maximum speed. sprints beyond distance increasingly incorporate element of endurance. human physiology dictates runner s near-top speed cannot maintained more thirty seconds or because lactic acid builds once leg muscles begin suffer oxygen deprivation. top speed can maintained 20 metres.

the 60 metres common indoor event , indoor world championship event. less-common events include 50 metres, 55 metres, 300 metres , 500 metres run in high school , collegiate competitions in united states. 150 metres, though competed, has star-studded history: pietro mennea set world best in 1983, olympic champions michael johnson , donovan bailey went head-to-head on distance in 1997, , usain bolt improved mennea s record in 2009.

middle distance

arne andersson (left) , gunder hägg (right) broke number of middle distance world records in 1940s.

the common middle-distance track events 800 metres, 1500 metres , mile run, although 3000 metres may classified middle-distance event. 880 yard run, or half mile, forebear of 800 m distance , has roots in competitions in united kingdom in 1830s. 1500 m came result of running 3 laps of 500 m track, commonplace in continental europe in 20th century.

runners start race standing position along curved starting line , after hearing starter s pistol head towards innermost track follow quickest route finish. in 800 m races athletes begin @ staggered starting point before turn in track , must remain in lanes first 100 m of race. rule introduced reduce amount of physical jostling between runners in stages of race. physiologically, these middle-distance events demand athletes have aerobic , anaerobic energy producing systems, , have strong speed endurance.

the 1500 m , mile run events have historically been of prestigious track , field events. swedish rivals gunder hägg , arne andersson broke each other s 1500 m , mile world records on number of occasions in 1940s. prominence of distances maintained roger bannister, (in 1954) first run long-elusive four-minute mile, , jim ryun s exploits served popularise interval training. races between british rivals sebastian coe, steve ovett , steve cram characterised middle-distance running in 1980s. 1990s onwards, north africans such noureddine morceli of algeria , hicham el guerrouj of morocco came dominate 1500 , mile events.

beyond short distances of sprinting events, factors such athlete s reactions , top speed becomes less important, while qualities such pace, race tactics , endurance become more so.

long distance

kenenisa bekele leading in long distance track event

there 3 common long distance running events in track , field competitions: 3000 metres, 5000 metres , 10,000 metres. latter 2 races both olympic , world championship events outdoors, while 3000 m held @ iaaf world indoor championships. 5000 m , 10,000 m events have historical roots in 3-mile , 6-mile races. 3000 m historically used women s long distance event, entering world championship programme in 1983 , olympic programme in 1984, abandoned in favour of women s 5000 m event in 1995.

in terms of competition rules , physical demands, long distance track races have in common middle-distance races, except pacing, stamina, , race tactics become greater factors in performances. however, number of athletes have achieved success in both middle- , long-distance events, including saïd aouita set world records 1500 m 5000 m. use of pace-setters in long distance events common @ elite level, although not present @ championship level competitions qualified competitors want win.

the long distance track events gained popularity in 1920s achievements of flying finns , such multiple olympic champion paavo nurmi. successes of emil zátopek in 1950s promoted intense interval training methods, ron clarke s world record-breaking feats established importance of natural training , even-paced running. 1990s saw rise of north , east african runners in long distance events. kenyan , ethiopian athletes, in particular, have since remained dominant in these events.

relay races

relay races track , field event in team of runners directly compete against other teams. typically, team made of 4 runners of same sex. each runner completes specified distance (referred leg) before handing on baton teammate, begins leg upon receiving baton. there designated area athletes must exchange baton. teams may disqualified if fail complete change within area, or if baton dropped during race. team may disqualified if runners deemed have wilfully impeded other competitors.

girls handing on baton in relay race in leipzig in 1950

relay races emerged in united states in 1880s variation on charity races between firemen, hand red pennant on teammates every 300 yards. there 2 common relay events: 4×100 metres relay , 4×400 metres relay. both events entered olympic programme @ 1912 summer games after one-off men s medley relay featured in 1908 olympics. 4 × 100 m event run strictly within same lane on track, meaning team collectively runs 1 complete circuit of track. teams in 4 × 400 m event remain in own lane until runner of second leg passes first bend, @ point runners can leave lanes , head towards inner-most part of circuit. second , third baton change overs, teammates must align in respect of team position – leading teams take inner lanes while teammates of slower teams must await baton on outer lanes.

the iaaf keeps world records 5 different types of track relays. 4×100 m , 4×400 m events, races comprise teams of 4 athletes running same distances, less commonly contested distances being 4×200 m, 4×800 m , 4×1500 m relays. other events include distance medley relay (comprising legs of 1200 m, 400 m, 800 m, , 1600 m), held in united states, , sprint relay, known swedish medley relay, popular in scandinavia , held @ world youth championships in athletics programme. relay events have significant participation in united states, number of large meetings (or relay carnivals) focused exclusively on relay events.

hurdling

a women s 400 m hurdles race @ 2007 dutch championships

races hurdles obstacles first popularised in 19th century in england. first known event, held in 1830, variation of 100-yard dash included heavy wooden barriers obstacles. competition between oxford , cambridge athletic clubs in 1864 refined this, holding 120-yard race (110 m) ten hurdles of 3-foot , 6 inches (1.06 m) in height (each placed 10 yards (9 m) apart), first , final hurdles 15 yards start , finish, respectively. french organisers adapted race metric (adding 28 cm) , basics of race, men s 110 metres hurdles, has remained largely unchanged. origin of 400 metres hurdles lies in oxford, (around 1860) competition held on 440 yards , twelve 1.06 m high wooden barriers placed along course. modern regulations stem 1900 summer olympics: distance fixed 400 m while ten 3-foot (91.44 cm) hurdles placed 35 m apart on track, first , final hurdles being 45 m , 40 m away start , finish, respectively. women s hurdles lower @ 84 cm (2 ft 9 in) 100 m event , 76 cm (2 ft 6 in) 400 m event.

by far common events 100 metres hurdles women, 110 m hurdles men , 400 m hurdles both sexes. men s 110 m has been featured @ every modern summer olympics while men s 400 m introduced in second edition of games. women s competed in 80 metres hurdles event, entered olympic programme in 1932. extended 100 m hurdles @ 1972 olympics, not until 1984 women s 400 m hurdles event took place @ olympics (having been introduced @ 1983 world championships in athletics previous year).

men traversing water jump in steeplechase competition

outside of hurdles events, steeplechase race other track , field event obstacles. hurdling events, steeplechase finds origin in student competition in oxford, england. however, event born human variation on original steeplechase competition found in horse racing. steeplechase event held on track 1879 english championships , 1900 summer olympics featured men s 2500 m , 4000 m steeplechase races. event held on various distances until 1920 summer olympics marked rise of 3000 metres steeplechase standard event. iaaf set standards of event in 1954, , event held on 400 m circuit includes water jump on each lap. despite long history of men s steeplechase in track , field, women s steeplechase gained world championship status in 2005, first olympic appearance coming in 2008.

jumping
long jump

naide gomes in jumping phase of event

the long jump 1 of oldest track , field events, having roots 1 of events within ancient greek pentathlon contest. athletes take short run , jump area of dug earth, winner being 1 jumped farthest. small weights (halteres) held in each hand during jump swung , dropped near end gain momentum , distance. modern long jump, standardised in england , united states around 1860, bears resemblance ancient event although no weights used. athletes sprint along length of track leads jumping board , sandpit. athletes must jump before marked line , achieved distance measured nearest point of sand disturbed athlete s body.

the athletics competition @ first olympics featured men s long jump competition , women s competition introduced @ 1948 summer olympics. professional long jumpers typically have strong acceleration , sprinting abilities. however, athletes must have consistent stride allow them take off near board while still maintaining maximum speed. in addition traditional long jump, standing long jump contest exists requires athletes leap static position without run-up. men s version of event featured on olympic programme 1900 1912.

triple jump


olga rypakova performing triple jump in 2012

similar long jump, triple jump takes place on track heading towards sandpit. originally, athletes hop on same leg twice before jumping pit, changed current hop, step , jump pattern 1900 onwards. there dispute on whether triple jump contested in ancient greece: while historians claim contest of 3 jumps occurred @ ancient games, others such stephen g. miller believe incorrect, suggesting belief stems mythologised account of phayllus of croton having jumped 55 ancient feet (around 16.3 m). book of leinster, 12th-century irish manuscript, records existence of geal-ruith (triple jump) contests @ tailteann games.

the men s triple jump competition has been ever-present @ modern olympics, not until 1993 women s version gained world championship status , went on have first olympic appearance 3 years later. men s standing triple jump event featured @ olympics in 1900 , 1904, such competitions have since become uncommon, although still used non-competitive exercise drill.

high jump

the first recorded instances of high jumping competitions in scotland in 19th century. further competitions organised in 1840 in england , in 1865 basic rules of modern event standardised there. athletes have short run , take off 1 foot jump on horizontal bar , fall onto cushioned landing area. men s high jump included in 1896 olympics , women s competition followed in 1928.

jumping technique has played significant part in history of event. high jumpers typically cleared bar feet first in late 19th century, using either scissors, eastern cut-off or western roll technique. straddle technique became prominent in mid-20th century, dick fosbury overturned tradition pioneering backwards , head-first technique in late 1960s – fosbury flop – won him gold @ 1968 olympics. technique has become overwhelming standard sport 1980s onwards. standing high jump contested @ olympics 1900 1912, relatively uncommon outside of use exercise drill.

pole vault

anna giordano bruno releases pole after clearing bar

in terms of sport, use of poles vaulting distances recorded in fierljeppen contests in frisian area of europe, , vaulting height seen @ gymnastics competitions in germany in 1770s. 1 of earliest recorded pole vault competitions in cumbria, england in 1843. basic rules , technique of event originated in united states. rules required athletes not move hands along pole , athletes began clearing bar feet first , twisting stomach faces bar. bamboo poles introduced in 20th century , metal box in runway planting pole became standard. landing mattresses introduced in mid-20th century protect athletes clearing increasingly greater heights.

the modern event sees athletes run down strip of track, plant pole in metal box, , vault on horizontal bar before letting go of pole , falling backwards onto landing mattress. while earlier versions used wooden, metal or bamboo, modern poles made artificial materials such fibreglass or carbon fibre. pole vault has been olympic event since 1896 men, on 100 years later first women s world championship competition held @ 1997 iaaf world indoor championships. first women s olympic pole vaulting competition occurred in 2000.

throwing

track , field contains of foremost kinds of throwing sports, , 4 major disciplines pure throwing events feature @ olympic games.

shot put

remigius machura preparing throw within circle

the genesis of shot put can traced pre-historic competitions rocks: in middle ages stone put known in scotland , steinstossen recorded in switzerland. in 17th century, cannonball throwing competitions within english military provided precursor modern sport. term shot originates use of round shot-style ammunition sport. modern rules first laid out in 1860 , required competitors take legal throws within square throwing area of 7 feet (2.13 m) on each side. amended circle area seven-foot diameter in 1906, , weight of shot standardised 16 pounds (7.26 kg). throwing technique refined on period, bent arm throws being banned deemed dangerous , side-step , throw technique arising in united states in 1876.

the shot put has been olympic sport men since 1896 , women s competition using 4 kg (8.82 lb) shot added in 1948. further throwing techniques have arisen since post-war era: in 1950s parry o brien popularised 180 degree turn , throw technique commonly known glide , breaking world record 17 times along way, while aleksandr baryshnikov , brian oldfield introduced spin or rotational technique in 1976.

discus throw

zoltán kővágó preparing spin , throw discus

discus 1 of events athlete has throw heavy disc in attempt mark farther distance competitors. 1 of events within ancient pentathlon, history of discus throw dates 708 bc. in ancient times heavy circular disc thrown set standing position on small pedestal, , style revived 1896 olympics. continued until 1906 intercalated games in athens, featured both ancient style , increasingly popular modern style of turning , throwing. 1912 olympics, ancient standing throw style had fallen disuse , contests starting within 2.5 m squared throwing area became standard. discus implement standardised 2 kg (4.4 pounds) in weight , 22 cm (8 inches) in diameter in 1907. women s discus among first women s events on olympic programme, being introduced in 1928., although had been competing @ national , regional levels previously.the first modern athlete throw discus while rotating whole body czech athlete frantisek janda-suk. invented technique when studying position of famous statue of discobolus.

javelin throw

bregje crolla beginning throw javelin

as implement of war , hunting, javelin throwing began in prehistoric times. along discus, javelin second throwing event in ancient olympic pentathlon. records 708 bc show 2 javelin competition types co-existing: throwing @ target , throwing javelin distance. latter type modern event derives. in ancient competitions, athletes wrap ankyle (thin leather strip) around javelin acted sling facilitate distance. javelin throw gained popularity in scandinavia in late 19th century , athletes region still among dominant throwers in men s competitions. modern event features short run on track , thrower releases javelin before foul line.

the first olympic men s javelin throw contest held in 1908 , women s competition introduced in 1932. first javelins made of various types of wood, in 1950s, former athlete bud held introduced hollow javelin, metal javelin, both of increased throwers performances. former athlete, miklós németh invented rough-tailed javelin , throws reached in excess of 100 m – edging towards limits of stadia. distances , increasing number of horizontal landings led iaaf redesign men s javelin reduce distance , increase implement s downward pitching moment allow easier measurement. rough-tailed designs banned in 1991 , marks achieved such javelins removed record books. women s javelin underwent similar redesign in 1999. current javelin specifications 2.6 2.7 m in length , 800 grams in weight men, , 2.2 2.3 m , 600 g women.

hammer throw

yury shayunou spinning hammer within circle

the earliest recorded precursors modern hammer throw stem tailteann games of ancient ireland, featured events such throwing either weight attached rope, large rock on wooden handle, or chariot wheel on wooden axle. other ancient competitions included throwing cast iron ball attached wooden handle – root of term hammer throw due resemblance tools. in 16th century england, contests involving throwing of actual blacksmith s sledgehammers recorded. hammer implement standardised in 1887 , competitions began resemble modern event. weight of metal ball set @ 16 pounds (7.26 kg) while attached wire had measure between 1.175 m , 1.215 m.

the men s hammer throw became olympic event in 1900 women s event – using 4 kg (8.82 lb) weight – not competed until later, featuring on women s olympic programme in 2000. distances thrown male athletes became greater 1950s onwards result of improved equipment using denser metals, switch concrete throwing areas, , more advanced training techniques. professional hammer throwers historically large, strong, sturdy athletes. however, qualities such refined technique, speed , flexibility have become increasingly important in modern era legal throwing area has been reduced 90 34.92 degrees , throwing technique involves 3 4 controlled rotations.

combined events

combined (or multi-discipline) events competitions in athletes participate in number of track , field events, earning points performance in each event, adds total points score. outdoors, common combined events men s decathlon (ten events) , women s heptathlon (seven events). due stadium limitations, indoor combined events competition have reduced number of events, resulting in men s heptathlon , women s pentathlon. athletes allocated points based on international-standard points scoring system, such decathlon scoring table.

the ancient olympic pentathlon (comprising long jump, javelin, discus, stadion race , wrestling) precursor track , field combined events , ancient event restored @ 1906 summer olympics (intercalated games). men s all-around held @ 1904 summer olympics, contested between 5 american , 2 british athletes.