Athletics is the name given to competitions including running, leaping, and throwing. They are most likely the oldest sport, and they play a big role in the Olympic Games.
Meets for Athletics
The organization of track and field consists of meets that are held mostly in outdoor stadiums with a track and a grassy field. Meetings take place indoors throughout the winter. At the Olympic Games or World Championships, a meet of this nature may last either a few days or up to two weeks.
Track events
Track events are competitions between athletes that take place on a 400-meter-long oval track. It has asphalt, rubber, or tartan as its surface and is segmented into lanes.
Sprinters are short-distance competitors. They get going with their palms on the track and their feet up against a starting block. The sprinters start the race when a pistol is fired, running as quickly as they can in the direction of the finish line while always remaining in their designated lane.
100, 200, and 400 meters are the distances for short-distance events. One of the most watched events in a track and field competition is the 100-meter dash. The world record holder, who holds the title of quickest man alive,
The 800, 1500, and occasionally the 3,000-meter races are considered middle-distance events. Running requires both speed and endurance.
The longest races on the track are the 5,000 and 10,000-metre ones. To finish such a marathon, athletes must train hard and log several kilometres every day of running. They must have the ability to maintain a steady pace and have sufficient energy for the last few meters.
You may also like: Sport Walking: You Need To Know
The marathon is the longest race. It dates back to 490 B.C. when a Greek soldier raced the approximately 40 kilometers from Marathon to Athens to inform the populace of a significant military victory. The modern marathon is 42.195 meters long and is primarily run on roadways.
Relays are events in which running teams compete against one another. A team of four athletes runs around the track alternately. Before they cross the finish line, they must hand off a stick called a baton to the next member of their team. The 4X 100-meter and 4X400-meter relays are the most popular.
A hurdle race requires competitors to jump over hurdles, which are around 1 meter high. Men compete in the 110 and 400-meter events, while women compete in the 100 and 400-meter events.
Jumping events
The high jump, pole vault, long jump, and triple leap are the jumping events that are performed at athletic competitions.
A crossbar is a metal pole that competitors must leap over in the high jump event without knocking it over. It is supported by two straight poles. The majority of contemporary jumpers cross the crossbar with their heads first.
Pole vaulters have to clear a substantially higher crossbar. They feature long, flexible poles that may reach a maximum length of five meters. Before they reach the crossbar, they plant the pole in a tiny ground-level box as they go in that direction. They then launched themselves into the air quite high and attempted to cross the bar.
You have three attempts at both events to clear the bar. The height of the bar increases by a few centimetres after you clear it. The contest is won by the competitor who clears the highest heights.
Athletes who compete in the long jump run very swiftly toward a wooden board that is propped up off the ground. The athlete then leaps into the air and landing in a sand pit. In the triple jump, the competitor jumps from one foot, lands on that foot, then jumps off again, lands on the other foot, and then jumps off for the last time, landing on both feet in the sand pit.
Throwing events
At track and field competitions, there are four throwing events: shot put, hammer, discus, and javelin.
The strongest athletes at sporting events are shot, putters. To make their throws, they need to stand in a circle. A 7.25 kg heavy metal ball is used for the shot. It is hurled as far into the field as possible after being placed between the chin and shoulders. The shot is lighter for women.
A sturdy chain holds the metal ball that serves as the hammer together. The person who is throwing the hammer swings it about him a few times before releasing it.
Athletes throw the discus into the field like they are spinning a plate. It is the earliest throwing competition and was a well-known sport in the ancient Greek Olympic Games.
A javelin is a spear-like device that is around 2.5 meters long and composed of wood or metal. The javelin thrower runs to pick up speed before launching the javelin as far into the field as possible.
All round events for athletics
The heptathlon and decathlon are made up of several different events. Athletes need two days to complete.
The 100-meter sprint, long jump, shot throw, high jump, 400-meter dash, 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and 1,500-meter run make up the men’s decathlon.
For women, the heptathlon consists of 7 individual events: the 100-meter hurdle race, high jump, shot throw, 200-meter sprint, long jump, javelin, and 800-meter run.
For each event, the athletes receive points. The winner is ultimately determined by adding them all up.
History of Track and Field
Athletics: Footraces and athletic competitions have been performed throughout thousands of years in a variety of civilizations, particularly in ancient Greece.
The history of modern sports begins in the 19th century. As early as 1825, amateur footraces were held in England. In America, athletic clubs were established, and even national competitions were planned.
Athletes gained international recognition at the first modern Olympic Games. The IAAF, or International Association of Athletics Federations, was established in 1912. It establishes the guidelines and certifies all world records.
Previously, only males could compete in track and field sports, but now women may participate as well.
About The Author
