Athletics

Athletics is a group of sporting events that involves competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking.

Origin

Ancient Greece

Type

Track and Field, Road Running, Race Walking, Cross Country Running

Venue

Stadium, Outdoor Tracks, Indoor Tracks, Cross Country Courses

Supreme Authority

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)

Summary

Key Types of Athletics

Competitions

References

Summary

Athletics is a group of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. It is governed by World Athletics, the global body responsible for regulating the sport and setting competition standards. The main disciplines within athletics include track and field, road running, cross-country running, racewalking, mountain running, and trail running. Track and field events are typically held in a stadium and involve running races, jumping events such as the long jump and high jump, and throwing events like the shot put and javelin throw.

Athletics is a key part of the Olympic Games and has been included since the inaugural modern Olympics in 1896. It also features prominently in other major international competitions, such as the World Athletics Championships, which includes events like marathon running and racewalking. The Summer Paralympics also include athletics for athletes with physical disabilities, with events tailored to different disability categories.

Historically, athletics has ancient roots, with evidence of competitive running and jumping dating back to Ancient Egypt, and formal athletics events were part of the original Olympic Games in Ancient Greece, starting in 776 BC. In the modern era, organised athletics began to take shape in the 19th century, with the creation of national governing bodies such as the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) in England in 1880. The sport gained global prominence through the establishment of international governing bodies and the inclusion of athletics in the Olympic Games.

Athletics competitions are mostly individual sports, although team-based events like relay races and team scoring systems in cross-country running exist. Winning in athletics is usually determined by either the fastest time or the longest or highest measurement, depending on the event. Road running events, particularly marathons, are also a significant part of athletics, with the marathon being a key event in both the Olympics and the World Athletics Championships.

Athletics is accessible worldwide due to its simplicity and minimal need for equipment, making it one of the most widely practised sports globally. The sport continues to evolve, with new disciplines such as trail running and mountain running being incorporated into official competitions in recent years.

Key Types of Athletics

Athletics includes several types of events, each focusing on different physical skills like running, jumping, and throwing. The main types are:

Track Events: These include running races over various distances. The races are divided into:
- Sprints: Short, fast races like the 100m, 200m, and 400m.
- Middle-distance: Races between 800m and 1500m.
- Long-distance: Races such as the 5000m and 10,000m, along with the marathon.
Field Events: These events test how far or high an athlete can jump or throw. They include:
- Jumping: Long jump, triple jump, high jump, and pole vault.
- Throwing: Shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer throw.
Relay Races: Teams of four athletes pass a baton in a race. Common relays are the 4x100m and 4x400m.
Racewalking: This is a form of walking where one foot must always be in contact with the ground, and the advancing leg must stay straight.
Road Running: Races held on paved roads. The most famous is the marathon, which is 42.195 km.
Cross-country Running: Long-distance races over natural terrain like grass and dirt.

Competitions

Olympic Games: Athletics has been part of the Olympic Games since 1896. It includes track and field events, road running, and racewalking.
World Athletics Championships: A major global competition held every two years, featuring the same events as the Olympics, including sprints, long-distance races, jumps, and throws.
World Athletics Indoor Championships: This is a biennial event for indoor track and field competitions, with events like sprints, middle-distance races, and jumping events.
Continental Championships: Each continent has its own athletics championships, such as the European Athletics Championships and African Championships in Athletics.
National Championships: Each country holds its own athletics championships, where athletes compete to become national champions in their events.
Diamond League: A series of elite track and field meetings held annually, where top athletes compete in various events for points and prize money.
Cross Country Championships: International and national competitions held on natural terrain, focusing on long-distance running over grass, mud, and trails.
Road Running Events: These include popular marathon races like the London Marathon, as well as shorter races like the 10k and half marathon.
Paralympic Games: Athletics competitions for athletes with physical disabilities, held as part of the Paralympic Games.