track field track field sport includes athletic contests established skills running jumping throwing derived sport typical venue stadium oval running track grass field throwing jumping events place track field umbrella sport athletics includes road running cross country running race walking running events include middle long distance events race walking won athlete fastest time jumping throwing events won athlete greatest distance height regular jumping events include long jump triple jump high jump pole vault common throwing events shot weight hammer combined events multi events consisting events consisting seven events consisting events multi event athletes participate combination jumping throwing middle distance long distance events track field events individual sports single victor number relay races consisting members events exclusively divided gender men women competitions usually held venue oldest sports ancient times event held conjunction festivals sports meets ancient olympic games greece modern times prestigious international track field competitions athletics competition olympic games world championships athletics international governing body records kept best performances specific events world national levels right personal level athletes deemed violated event rules regulations disqualified competition marks erased north_america term track field refer athletics events marathon strictly track based events history sport track field roots human track field style events oldest sporting competitions running jumping throwing natural universal forms human physical expression recorded examples organized track field events sports festival ancient olympic games games greece event contested scope games expanded later years include running competitions introduction ancient olympic marked step track field recognized today comprised event competition long jump throw throw wrestling track field events present greece period spread rome italy period classical antiquity sport largely influenced new track field events began developing parts middle ages stone weight throw competitions popular celtic societies ireland scotland modern shot hammer throw events track field events develop pole vault stemmed competitions contests northern european 18th century modern track field competitions separate general sporting festivals recorded 19th century typically organised educational institutions military organisations sports clubs competitions rival establishments competitions english public schools conceived human horse racing fox hunting hare influenced classics rich curriculum oldest running club world written records going evidence established school organised races runners followed trail paper left today runners called race victory kill definite record cross country annual making oldest running race modern era school lays claim oldest track field meeting existence originating second spring meeting documented featured series throwing jumping events mock horse races including derby stakes race runners entered owners named horses miles away decade later games held events games included half mile foot race distance competition helped set held games crystal palace london national event great success attracting crowd thousand people response year formed held championship gentlemen attempt reclaim sport educated elite ultimately won national body sport athletics facto british national championships despite england held annually july breaks world wars aaa effectively global governing body early years sport rules time united_states began holding annual national competition field championships held establishment general sports governing bodies united_states france union des sports sport formal meant international competitions possible establishment modern olympic games end 19th century marked new high track field olympic athletics programme comprising track field events plus marathon race contained foremost sporting competitions summer olympics olympics consolidated use metric measurements international track field events race distances measuring jumps throws olympic athletics programme greatly expanded decades track field contests remained games prominent olympics elite competition track field amateur compete track field continued largely amateur sport rule strictly enforced stripped track field medals olympics revealed played baseball professionally year established international governing body track field founding principles sport national collegiate athletic association held making prestigious competitions students soon followed introduction track field inaugural world student games continental track field competition south american championships followed early 1920s track field exclusively male pursuit growing women sports movement europe north_america led establishment ultimately caused introduction track field events women athletics summer olympics china women track field events held 1920s subject criticism audiences physical education advocate called greater equality participation women chinese track field rise olympic medal japan growth women track field women events gradually introduced years progressed end century men women programmes approached events marking increasingly inclusive approach sport major track field competitions disabled athletes introduced summer paralympics rise numerous regional championships growth olympic style multi sport events competitions international track field athletes widespread 1960s onwards sport gained exposure commercial appeal television coverage increasing wealth nations half century amateur status sport began displaced growing late 1970s result dissolved united_states replaced non amateur body solely focused sport athletics later usa track field soon followed suit abandoning later removing references following year saw establishment world championships athletics global competition athletics olympics track field prestigious competitions profile sport reached new high 1980s number athletes household names world records broken period added political element competitors united_states soviet_union reaction cold war served sport popularity increase commercial capacity track field met developments application sports science changes coaching methods athlete diet regimes training facilities sports equipment accompanied increase use performance enhancing drugs prominent cases olympic gold damaged public image sport 1990s onwards track field increasingly professional international gained member nations world championships athletics fully professional competition introduction prize money golden league annual series major track field meetings europe provided higher level economic incentive form million series replaced lucrative fourteen meeting series held europe asia north_america middle_east worldwide annual series track field meetings events track field events divided broad categories track events field events combined events majority athletes tend event event type aim performances aim combined events athletes proficient number disciplines track events involve running track specified distances case events obstacles placed track relay races teams athletes run pass team member end certain distance types field events jumps throws jumping competitions athletes judged length height jumps performances jumping events distance measured board marker athlete mark judged jumps height athlete clear body knocking bar supporting standards majority jumping events athletes propel vertically purpose built sticks pole vault throwing events involve implement heavy weight set point athletes judged distance object thrown combined events involve group athletes number different track field events points given performance event athlete greatest points total end events winner note events competed indoor world championships running races short distances oldest running competitions editions ancient olympic games featured event race race end stadium events focused athletes reaching sustaining quickest possible running speed events currently held olympics outdoor world championships metres metres metres events roots races imperial measurements later changed metric evolved yard dash distances came mile successor yard dash quarter mile race professional level begin race assuming position starting blocks leaning forward gradually moving upright position race progresses momentum gained athletes remain lane running track events sole exception indoors races largely focused acceleration athlete maximum speed distance increasingly incorporate element endurance human physiology runner near speed maintained thirty seconds acid builds leg muscles begin suffer oxygen speed maintained metres metres common indoor event indoor world championship event common events include metres metres metres metres run high school collegiate competitions united_states metres rarely competed star history set world best olympic champions went head head distance improved record middle distance common middle distance track events metres metres mile run metres classified middle distance event yard run half mile distance roots competitions united_kingdom 1830s came result running laps track commonplace continental europe 20th century runners start race standing position curved starting line hearing starter pistol head track follow quickest route finish races athletes begin starting point turn track remain lanes race rule introduced reduce physical runners early stages race middle distance events demand athletes good energy producing systems strong speed endurance mile run events historically prestigious track field events swedish rivals broke mile world records number occasions 1940s prominence distances maintained run long elusive minute mile exploits served interval training races british rivals characterised middle distance running 1980s 1990s onwards north algeria morocco came dominate mile events short distances events factors athlete reactions speed important qualities pace race tactics endurance long distance common long distance running events track field competitions metres metres metres races olympic world championship events outdoors held world indoor championships events historical roots mile mile races historically women long distance event entering world championship programme olympic programme abandoned favour women event terms competition rules physical demands long distance track races common middle distance races pacing stamina race tactics greater factors performances number athletes achieved success long distance events including set world records use pace long distance events common elite level present championship level competitions qualified competitors want win long distance track events gained popularity 1920s achievements flying multiple olympic champion successes 1950s promoted intense interval training methods world record breaking feats established importance natural training paced running 1990s saw rise north east african runners long distance events athletes particular remained dominant events relay races relay races track field event team runners directly compete teams typically team runners sex runner completes specified distance referred leg handing team mate begins leg receiving usually designated area athletes exchange teams disqualified fail complete change area dropped race team disqualified runners deemed competitors relay races emerged united_states 1880s variation charity races hand red pennant team mates yards common relay events metres relay metres relay events entered olympic programme summer games men medley relay featured olympics event run strictly lane track meaning team collectively runs complete circuit track teams event remain lane runner second leg passes bend point runners leave lanes head inner circuit second change overs team mates align respect team position leading teams inner lanes team mates slower teams await outer lanes keeps world records different types track events races comprise teams athletes running distances commonly contested distances events include distance medley relay comprising legs frequently held united_states sprint relay known swedish medley relay popular scandinavia held world youth championships athletics programme relay events significant participation united_states number large meetings relay focused exclusively relay events races obstacles 19th century england known event held variation yard dash included heavy wooden barriers obstacles competition oxford refined holding yard race foot inches height placed yards apart final yards start finish respectively french organisers adapted race metric adding basics race men metres remained largely unchanged origin metres lies oxford competition held yards high wooden barriers placed course modern regulations stem summer olympics distance fixed foot placed apart track final away start finish respectively women slightly lower event event far common events metres women men sexes men featured modern summer olympics men introduced second edition games women initially competed metres event entered olympic programme extended olympics women event took place olympics having introduced world championships athletics previous year outside events race track field event obstacles events finds origin student competition oxford england event born human variation original competition found horse racing event held track english championships summer olympics featured men races event held distances summer olympics marked rise metres standard event set standards event event held circuit includes water jump lap despite long history men track field women gained status olympic appearance coming jumping long jump long jump oldest track field events having roots events ancient greek contest athletes short run jump area dug earth winner jumped small weights held hand jump swung dropped near end gain extra momentum distance modern long jump england united_states bears resemblance ancient event weights athletes sprint length track leads jumping board athletes jump marked line achieved distance measured nearest point sand disturbed athlete body athletics competition olympics featured men long jump competition women competition introduced summer olympics professional long typically strong acceleration abilities athletes consistent stride allow near board maintaining maximum speed addition traditional long jump standing long jump contest exists requires athletes leap static position run men version event featured olympic programme triple jump similar long jump triple jump takes place track heading originally athletes hop leg twice jumping pit changed current hop step jump pattern onwards dispute triple jump contested ancient greece historians claim contest jumps occurred believe incorrect suggesting belief stems account having jumped ancient feet book 12th century irish manuscript records existence triple jump contests ancient games men triple jump competition present modern olympics women version gained status went olympic appearance years later men standing triple jump event featured olympics competitions uncommon non competitive exercise drill high jump recorded instances high jumping competitions scotland 19th century competitions organised england basic rules modern event athletes short run foot jump horizontal bar fall landing area men high jump included olympics women competition followed jumping technique played significant history event high typically cleared bar feet late 19th century eastern cut western roll technique technique prominent mid-20th century overturned tradition pioneering backwards head technique late 1960s flop won gold olympics technique overwhelming standard sport 1980s onwards standing high jump contested olympics relatively uncommon outside use exercise drill pole vault terms sport use poles distances recorded contests area europe height seen competitions germany earliest recorded pole vault competitions basic rules technique event originated united_states rules required athletes hands pole athletes began clearing bar feet twisting stomach faces bar bamboo poles introduced 20th century metal box runway planting pole standard landing introduced mid-20th century protect athletes clearing increasingly greater heights modern event sees athletes run strip track plant pole metal box vault horizontal bar letting pole falling backwards landing earlier versions wooden metal bamboo modern poles generally artificial materials carbon pole vault olympic event men years later women world championship competition held world indoor championships women olympic pole competition occurred throwing track field contains foremost kinds throwing sports major disciplines pure throwing events feature olympic games shot genesis shot traced pre historic competitions rocks middle ages stone known scotland recorded switzerland 17th century throwing competitions english military provided precursor modern sport term shot originates use round shot style ammunition sport modern rules laid required competitors legal throws square throwing area seven feet amended circle area seven foot diameter weight shot pounds throwing technique refined period bent arm throws banned deemed dangerous step throw technique arising united_states shot olympic sport men women competition shot added throwing techniques arisen post war era 1950s brien degree turn throw technique commonly known breaking world record times way introduced spin technique throw events ancient history throw dates ancient times heavy circular disc thrown set standing position small pedestal style revived olympics continued games athens featured ancient style increasingly popular modern style turning throwing olympics ancient standing throw style fallen contests starting squared throwing area standard implement pounds weight inches diameter women women events olympic programme introduced throw implement war hunting throwing began prehistoric times second throwing event ancient olympic records competition types existing throwing target throwing distance type modern event derives ancient competitions athletes wrap thin leather strip acted facilitate extra distance throw gained popularity scandinavia late 18th century athletes region dominant throwers men competitions modern event features short run track releases foul line olympic men throw contest held women competition introduced types wood 1950s athlete introduced hollow metal increased throwers performances athlete invented rough tailed throws reached excess limits distances increasing number horizontal landings led redesign men reduce distance increase implement downward pitching moment allow easier measurement rough tailed designs banned marks achieved removed record books women underwent similar redesign current specifications length grams weight men women hammer throw earliest recorded modern hammer throw stem games featured events throwing weight attached rope large rock wooden handle wheel wooden axle ancient competitions included throwing cast iron ball attached wooden handle root term hammer throw resemblance tools 16th century england contests involving throwing actual recorded hammer implement competitions began resemble modern event weight metal ball set pounds attached wire measure men hammer throw olympic event women event weight widely competed later finally featuring women olympic programme distances thrown male athletes greater 1950s onwards result improved equipment metals switch concrete throwing areas advanced training techniques professional hammer throwers historically large strong athletes qualities refined technique speed flexibility increasingly important modern era legal throwing area reduced degrees throwing technique involves controlled combined events combined multi discipline events competitions athletes participate number track field events earning points performance event adds total points score outdoors common combined events men events women seven events stadium limitations indoor combined events competition reduced number events resulting men women athletes allocated points based international standard points scoring system scoring table ancient olympic comprising long jump race wrestling precursor track field combined events ancient event restored summer olympics games men held summer olympics contested american british athletes stadium outdoor term track field hosted competitions basic features track field stadium outer oval shaped running track area turf track field earlier competitions track lengths varied stadium measured metres summer olympics olympics distance mile francis field sport developed length stated tracks split running lanes precise lanes established regulations track tracks flattened popular early 20th century synthetic tracks standard late 1960s track weather running track gained popularity use olympic trials summer olympics began process synthetic tracks standard sport track field multi purpose running track surrounding field built sports types football field stadium combines number elements use jumping throwing events long jump triple jump areas comprise straight narrow metre running track ends jumps measured board typically small strip wood marker attached ensures athletes jump measurement line pole vault area metre running track ground box plant poles propel falling landing high jump stripped version open area track field leads square area landing throwing events generally begin stadium throw typically takes place piece track central parallel main running track throwing area sector shape frequently pitch sports field middle stadium ensuring minimal chance causing damage injury throw hammer throw contests begin tall metal cage usually situated corners field cage reduces danger thrown field play throws travel field centre stadium shot features circular throwing area toe board end throwing area sector water jump area field specifically races indoor basic indoor venues adapted easily accommodate high jump competitions short track events size indoor arenas fully equipped host events bear similarities outdoor typically central area surrounded metre oval track lanes track banked turns allow athletes run radius comfortably second running track going straight field area parallel main circuit track metres metres events held exclusively indoors common adaptation yard track laps mile fits common basketball court sized arena popular races held imperial distances gradually phased different organizations 1970s 1980s examples configuration include games madison square garden held common jumping events held indoor venues long triple jump areas run alongside central track identical form outdoor counterparts pole vault track landing area alongside central running track shot weight throw throwing event held indoors size restrictions throwing area similar outdoor event landing sector rectangular section surrounded stop barrier addition hosting hosted rules track rules rules track athletics track events athletics observed international athletics competitions set competition rules international association athletics recent complete set rules rules relate competitions key rules track events starting running finishing starting start race marked white line wide races run lanes start line curved athletes start distance finish starting blocks races including including leg race starting block overlap start line extend lane races started report starter gun approved starting apparatus fired upwards athletes steady correct starting position athlete touch start line ground hands feet marks sprint races starter gives commands marks athletes approach start line followed set advise athletes start race imminent commands starter typically given native language national competitions english french international competitions athletes set starting position gun approved starting apparatus fired activated starter satisfied ready proceed athletes called blocks process started different types starts races different distances long distance races mainly use start athletes begin curved line moves farther outer edge track competitors allowed inside lane right away long safe middle distance races athlete starts lane gun fires run lane began markers track time inside lane sprint races athletes begin start blocks stay lane entire race athlete assuming final set position commence starting motion receiving report gun approved starting apparatus judgment starter earlier considered false start deemed false start judgment starter athlete fails comply commands marks set appropriate reasonable time athlete command marks athletes race sound runner set position moves runner disqualified athlete making false start disqualified international elite competition starting blocks sense reaction time athletes athlete second alert sounds recall starter athlete guilty false start running race events bar relay indoor metres athlete run race allocated lane start finish athlete leaves lane steps line lane athlete disqualified lane rules apply initial periods track races example beginning similar rules apply longer distance races large field athletes present separate starting points designated field merging group shortly starting phase athlete athlete way progress disqualified event athlete pushed forced person run outside lane material advantage gained athlete disqualified finish finish race marked white line wide finishing position athletes determined order distinguished head neck arms legs hands feet reaches vertical plane nearer edge finish line fully automatic timing systems photo timing common increasingly lower levels track meets improving accuracy eliminating need eagle eyed officials finish line fully automatic timing fat required high level meets time sprint record set distance records accepted timed independent accuracy timing systems ties rare ties different athletes resolved follows determining tie round qualifying position round based time judge called chief photo finish judge consider actual time recorded athletes second judge decides tie tying athletes placed round lots drawn determine placed round case tie place final referee decides arrange athletes tying compete decides result stands ties remain field rules general field events allow competitor attempt individually theoretically conditions competitors competition attempt measured determine achieved longest distance vertical jumps high jump pole vault set bar particular height competitor clear bar knocking standards holding bar flat failures row ends competitor participation event competitor option pass attempt strategic advantage course advantage lost competitor misses pass save energy avoid taking jump improve position standings competitors cleared passed failed attempts height bar goes bar goes competition competitor remains competitor choose heights remaining attempts record kept attempt competitor competitors taken attempts jumping highest winner competitors event ties broken number attempts taken highest height fewest wins tied total number misses competition bar lower height break tie place qualifying position critical positions tied applying tied competitors fourth jump height miss bar goes jump process continues tie broken horizontal jumps long jump triple jump throws initiated line case horizontal jumps line straight line perpendicular runway case throws line arc circle crossing line initiating attempt attempt foul landings occur sector jumps sand filled pit throws defined sector throw landing line edge sector foul inside edge line outside edge sector assuming proper attempt officials measure distance closest landing point line measuring tape carefully straightened shortest distance point line accomplish tape perfectly perpendicular line jumps pulled center point arc throws officials landing end tape zero officials point initiation measure record length record potential record occurs measurement taken steel tape observed officials plus usually meet referee steel tapes easily bent damaged measure everyday competitions major competitions competitor gets tries competitors usually depending competition rules number lanes track gets tries level competition order competitors final attempts set competitor place end round competitor qualify goes meets competition order final round final attempt taken leader point competitions meet management choose limit competitors attempts format competitors equal number attempts equipment men women different weights throwing men grams compared women men weight throw pounds compared women men kilograms women men shot pounds compared pounds women men hammer throw pounds women additionally men high height inches compared women inches intermediate meter men height inches compared inches women organizations international governance track field falls jurisdiction athletics organisations global governing body track field athletics governance track field continental national level athletics bodies national named sport including philippine organisations govern track field fact athletics governing bodies national regulate sub national local track field clubs types running clubs competitions olympics paralympics world championships major global track field competitions held scope athletics track field contests majority events olympic paralympic athletics programmes occur years track field events held prominent position summer olympics inception events typically held main stadium olympic paralympic games events metres receive highest levels media coverage olympic paralympic sporting event major international competition track field organised selected olympic competition world championship event separate world championships athletics held world championships athletics championships comprised track field competitions plus marathon competitions initially worked basis changed format terms indoor track field athletics held years world championships consists solely track field events championships similar event programmes olympics paralympics world championships track field forms significant continental championships athletics created continental championships second championships type athletics created 1970s oceania started championships indoor continental competitions europe asia asian indoor athletics championships consistent championships north_america success caribbean championships field championships countries national championship track field athletes play role gaining selection major competitions countries hold track field championships high school college level help develop younger athletes gained significant exposure prestige united_states number status competitions significantly vary country country multi sport events role track field events summer olympics paralympics sport featured athletics programmes major multi sport events events follow olympic style model games number major multi sport events greatly increased 20th century number track field events held typically track field events hosted main stadium games olympic paralympic games prominent events track field athletes include sanctioned continental games asian games games significant participation track field athletes track field present national games level competitions serving prestigious national competition domestic track field athletes meetings day track field meetings form common seasonal aspect sport basic level track field competition meetings generally organised annually patronage educational institution sports club group business serves meeting promoter case athletes selected represent club institution case privately run independent meetings athletes participate invitation basis basic type meetings track meets largely small local informal competitions allow people ages abilities compete meetings organized gain official local national association sport professional level meetings began offer significant financial incentives athletes 1990s europe creation golden competition comprising meetings brussels berlin oslo expanded received backing later supplemented branding selected meetings worldwide idea expanded globally series forms tier professional day track field meetings records athletes performances timed measured virtually track field competitions serve way determining winner event historical comparison record large variety record types exist men women performances recorded separately foremost types records organise athlete performances region represent beginning national records continental records global world record level national governing bodies control national record lists area associations organise respective continental lists world records track field world records meet set criteria published world records list initially men events recognised records running relay field records world records women events began events gradually added list significant changes late 1970s records imperial measurements abandoned sole exceptional mile run prestige history event following year world records sprint events recognised fully automatic electronic timing opposed traditional hand timing method electronic timing compulsory world record runs track field times recorded second additional types world record introduced world records indoor competitions world records junior athletes years old important record type achieved specific competition example olympic records represent best performances athletes summer olympics major championships games relevant competition records large number track field meetings note meet records record types include stadium records records age range records disability records institution organisation cash bonuses usually offered athletes break significant records generate greater interest public attendance track field competitions track field athletes banned certain substances governing bodies sport national international level constitution incorporates anti measures practices blood use athletes physical competitive advantage track field use substances track field opposed ethical medical grounds given sport functions measuring comparing athletes performances performance enhancing substances create uneven playing field athletes use substances disadvantage rivals medically use banned substances adverse effect athletes health athletes banned substances use athletes sanctioned usage cases failed drug test medication athletes historically willing legal health risks improve performance stating willingness risk lives exemplified research researching attitudes called dilemma prevent use performance enhancing substances athletes submit drug tests conducted competition anti officials medical staff athletes susceptible higher testing return competition athletes found taken substances banned list receive sanctions banned competition period time corresponds seriousness use substances prohibited list result sanctions substance deemed similar banned substance composition effect athletes sanctioned missing tests seeking avoid testing results refusing submit testing evidence confession use played significant modern history track field state sponsored marked rise women track field late 1960s 1980s number women broke world records highly successful international competitions athletes following plan teenage years suffered significant health problems result regime ran new world record metres seoul olympics later banned mid decade 21st century eventually resulted downfall prominent usage banned substances problems associated united_states affected entire nations russia banned competing olympics ban imposed major allegations covering discovered related sports track field bears similarity sport athletics specifically cross country running road forms running forms racing tend record finishing times strictly defined start finish points generally individual nature long distance runners usually participate cross country road events addition track track typically road specialists unusual track field athletes outside groups compete cross country road events varieties strength athletics world strongest man highland games incorporate forms carrying heavy objects throwing events toss toss bear similarities track field throwing events
Track and field