Athletics

Following on from the recent Olympic Games, this month we take a closer look at one of the most popular sports - ATHLETICS!

The word ATHLETICS is derived from the Greek word "athlos" meaning "contest" and whether played individually or in teams, it involves physical strength, skill, and endurance. In the U.S., the term is used synonymously with sports however in Britian, it refers specifically to track and field events. In general, athletic contests can be divided into contact and non-contact sports.

Athletics was the original sport at the first Olympics back in 776 B.C where the only event held was the stadium-length foot race or "stade". The earliest recorded win was at these games in the stade race.

Track and field events have been contested in all the Olympic Games and provide the backbone of the Olympics. Women were not allowed to participate in track and field events in the Olympics until 1928.

Athletics attracts more competitors than any other Olympic sport, this may be due to the fact that there is medical proof of the benefits of physical exercise. Athletics is a great way to keep fit. A healthy body means an alert mind and greater resistance to many physical ailments. The younger you learn to keep fit, the more likely you are to stay fit for life. The skills acquired and developed through training and competition provide a basis for many sports.

TRACK EVENTS

¨ The distance for track events range from the 100 metres sprint to the 10,000 metre race.

¨ The distances for the individual races are 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and 10,000m.

¨ There are also four Olympic relay events including the men's and women's 4x100m and 4x400m relays.

¨ Other events raced on the track are the steeplechase and the hurdles. The steeplechase is an event run over 3000m consisting of twenty-eight hurdle jumps and seven water jumps. Olympic hurdling events are held over 110m and 400m for men and over 100m and 400m for women.

ROAD EVENTS

¨ There are two types of events competed on the road, the marathon and the walking events.

¨ The marathon is a 42.195km race and is one of the highlights of the Olympics.

¨ The event most commonly included in International competitions are the 20km and 50km road walks for men and the 10km road walk for women.

FIELD EVENTS

¨ Track and field is made up of many types of events.

¨ Field events involve jumping or throwing. The field events include long jump, high jump, javelin, shot put, discus and pole vault.

¨ Track events involve running, hurdling or walking.

¨ Multi-events combine both track and field events.

¨ The Heptathlon for women is seven events held over two days and the Decathlon for men is ten events held over two days.

- Annemarie Failla