Sport of athletics

Athletics is a group of sporting events that involves competitive running, jumping and throwing. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross-country running, and race walking.

The results of racing events are decided by finishing position or time, while jumps and throws are won by the athlete that achieves the highest or furthest measurement. Athletics is mostly an individual sport, with the exception of relay races and competitions that combine athletes' performances for a team score.

Organized athletics date back to the ancient Olympic Games from 776 BC. The modern rules were defined in Western Europe and North America in the 19th and early 20th century. Today, athletics is a key part of the Summer Olympics and other major multi-sport events, with top competitions including the World Athletics Championships.

History

See also: History of physical training and fitness

See also: Timeline of changes in the sport of athletics

Athletic contests such as running, walking, jumping, and throwing are some of the oldest sports in the world. Early pictures from Ancient Egyptian tombs show people running and jumping, and ancient games like the Tailteann Games in Ireland included running and stone-throwing. The very first Olympics in 776 BC began with a simple running race called the stadion.

In more recent times, athletics grew from small local events to big international competitions. The modern Olympic Games included athletics from the very first games in 1896, and it has stayed a key part ever since. Today, athletics is watched worldwide, especially during the Olympics and big city marathons like Boston and New York. Over time, athletics has also grown to include events for athletes with disabilities, starting with the Paralympic Games in 1960.

Events

See also: List of athletics events

World Athletics, the sport's governing body, defines athletics in six disciplines: track and field, road running, race walking, cross country running, mountain running, and trail running. Mountain running was added in 2003 and trail running was added in 2015.

All forms of athletics are individual sports with the exception of relay races. Athletes' performances are often combined by country at international championships, with the top athletes from a team determining the team winner.

Track and field competitions began in the late 19th century and usually involve athletes from educational institutions, military organisations, and sports clubs. Events include running, hurdles, relay races, and competitions such as shot put and high jump. The most famous contests are the Olympic athletics competition and the World Championships in Athletics.

Road running includes events like marathons and shorter races on paved roads. The marathon is a key event in the Olympics and World Championships. Cross country running takes place on natural courses like grass and trails. Racewalking is a unique event where athletes must maintain a specific walking pace and form.

Categories

The sport of athletics includes many different categories to ensure fair competition. Athletes are grouped based on their abilities, ensuring everyone competes against others of similar skill. Categories are also divided by age and gender to make sure competitions are fair and enjoyable for all participants.

Athletes compete in categories based on their age. Younger athletes have categories like under-18 and under-20, while older athletes often compete in groups organized by five-year age spans. This helps athletes of all ages participate and excel. For athletes with disabilities, there are special events called para-athletics, where competitors are grouped based on the type of disability they have. These events ensure everyone has the chance to compete fairly and celebrate their achievements.

Venues

Professional athletics usually happens in stadiums, on grass or woodland paths, or along roads. These venues help make sure events are fair and safe for everyone. Sometimes, athletes can even compete in simple open spaces like fields for basic running, jumping, and throwing events.

Stadiums often have tracks that are 400 meters long with many lanes for runners. Indoor tracks are shorter, usually 200 meters. Cross country courses can be anywhere in nature, like parks or woods, and may have hills or mud that make running tricky. Road races follow city streets or paths, and often have places where runners can get drinks along the way.

Organizations

In 1912, the international governing body for athletics was formed, called the International Amateur Athletics Federation. By 2001, it was renamed the International Association of Athletics Federations, and in 2019, it became known as World Athletics.

World Athletics includes 215 member nations and territories, grouped into six areas: Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, North and Central America and the Caribbean, and South America. Each area has its own association, such as the Asian Athletics Association and the European Athletics Association. National organizations in each country manage athletics events and competitions.

Competitions

Athletics competitions are divided into three main types: international championships, national championships, and annual meetings and races. International championships, such as the Summer Olympics, bring together athletes from many countries to compete. The Olympics is the most famous athletics event, featuring running, jumping, and throwing events. National championships decide the best athletes in each country for the year. Annual meetings and races are smaller events where athletes compete against each other.

Many big international events, like the Olympics, include several types of athletics events. The Summer Olympics has included running, jumping, and throwing since it began in 1896. Other big events, like the Commonwealth Games and the Paralympics, also feature athletics. The World Athletics Championships is another major global event for athletes. There are also special competitions for athletes with physical disabilities, like the Paralympic Games.

Culture and media

Athletics has been celebrated in art since ancient times. Ancient Egyptian tombs from around 2250 BC show runners and high jumpers, and Greek athletes inspired famous statues like the Discobolus. Writers like Aristotle also praised the beauty and strength of athletes.

Many films and books focus on running and track and field. Popular movies include Chariots of Fire, which tells the story of two runners at the 1924 Olympics, and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. There are also documentaries like Spirit of the Marathon, and many magazines cover athletics news and history.