Athletics refers primarily to track-and-field events that involve running, jumping or throwing.

Those
athletic events are most closely associated with the Olympics, but competition in these sports is held at the
youth level, high school, college, and professional ranks all year round throughout the world.

The Ancient Greeks

The first Olympics in ancient Greece go back at least as far as the eighth or ninth century B.C. While
such sports as boxing and equestrian events were included, most of the events were those now classified
under athletics or track and field. They included running, jumping, discus and the javelin. Those four, plus
wrestling, made up the pentathlon. The running events included "stades," which were essentially sprints from
one end of the stadium to the other, a distances of about 190 meters; two-stade races; longer-distance races
of between seven and 24 stades; and a two- or four-stade race in which the competitors wore armor.

The Modern Olympics

Running and other athletic events have long been a part of many cultures, but in the 19th century, such
activities were becoming more popular, particularly in Europe and the United States. School curricula included
athletics and in 1896, the first Modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece. Events included the 100-meters,
400 meters, 800 meters, 1,500 meters, 110-meter hurdles, pole vault, discus, shot put, javelin, long jump, triple
jump and high jump. Fourteen nations were represented.

Growth of Athletics

After the 1896 Olympics, the popularity of athletics, or rather, a revival of athletic competition, took
place around the world. National athletics federations from 17 countries got together to form an international
governing body and in 1912, the International Amateur Athletic Federation was born. For many years, the
pinnacle of athletics competition was the Summer Olympics. But in the 1970s, more world championships in
various events began to take place, helping to maintain interest in track and field every year.

21st Century Organization

By 2011, nearly 50 outdoor and 25 indoor events fall under the IAAF's authority and rules. Some
events, such as the 50-meter sprint, are no longer part of major athletic competitions, but remain part of school
programs. Some events have been modified through the years and races of many varying distances are
contested every year. In addition to the 26.2 miles of the marathon, there is a 13.1-mile half-marathon. There
are men's and women's competitions in almost every event. Men, however, can compete in the 10-event
decathlon, while women have the seven-event heptathlon.

Field Events in Athletics

Shot Put

In the shot put, you throw a heavy spherical object called the shot (it resembles a cannonball). The
weight of the shot is 7.26kg for men and 4kg for women. The shot put for men has been part of the modern
Olympic since 1896 and the competition for women began in 1948. First, rest the shot close to the neck, and
keep it there throughout the motion. Next, release above the height of the shoulder, using only one hand, as far
as possible. The shot has to land in the designated zone of the throwing area. The one that lands the furthest,
wins.
Hammer Throw

The hammer throw involves a heavy ball attached to a strong wire. The ball is swung twice in the same
spot, legs stationary. Next, you make three or four rotations with your body in a circular motion, with your feet
engaged in a heel-toe movement. Then, you release the ball into the designated zone. Whoever can throw the
hammer the furthest, wins the event.

Discus Throw

The discus is a heavy disc (like a frisbee) and weighs about 2 kg. You start in a circle 2.5 m in
diameter, then spin in a counter-clockwise motion around one and a half times to build momentum, before you
release it. Whoever throws it the furthest, will win. There are no form rules about how the discus is to be
thrown.

Javelin Throw

The javelin is a spear about 2.5 m in length. You need to run within a predetermined area to build up
speed and throw it as far as possible. Javelin throw is also an event part of the men’s decathlon and the
women’s heptathlon.

Long Jump

In this event, you run down a strip (the same sort of rubberized surface as running tracks), and jump as
far as possible from a wooden board 20 cm wide. The board is built flush with the runway, and you leap into a
pit filled with finely ground gravel or sand. If you start the leap with any part of the foot past the foul line, the
jump is disqualified.

Triple Jump

Similar to the long jump, you have to run down the track and perform a hop, a bound and then a jump
into the sand pit. According to the IAAF rulebook, "the hop shall be made so that an athlete lands first on the
same foot as that from which he has taken off; in the step, he shall land on the other foot, from which,
subsequently, the jump is performed."

Pole Vault

Pole Vault has been a medal event at the Olympic Games since 1896 for men and 2000 for women.

In the pole vault, you sprint down a track, plant one end of the pole in the metal box, and catapult
yourself over a 4.5m horizontal bar (without knocking it to the ground), release the pole, and fall onto the
landing mattress. The pole can be of any length, diameter and made of any material, but the basic rules and
technique state that you must not move your hands along the pole when it is upright; you must clear the bar
feet first, and twist so that your stomach faces the bar, as you descend.

High Jump

To do the high jump, you do a short run-up, leap from one foot over a horizontal bar, and fall onto a
cushioned landing area. What is interesting was how jumping technique evolved in this event.

Previously, different high jumpers used different methods, but at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games,
an athlete called Dick Fosbury pioneered the backwards and head-first jump, and captured the gold. This
technique is the standard for all high jumpers today and dubbed the Fosbury Flop in his honour.