Track and field
Ancient sport of running, jumping, and throwing contests.
Track and field is a sport encompassing many athletic contests based on running, jumping, and throwing. The name, used in North America, derives from the venue: a running track and a grass field for throwing and some jumping events. It is categorized under the umbrella sport of athletics, which also includes road running, cross country running, and race walking. Track and field is one of the oldest sports, with roots in prehistoric times and the Ancient Olympic Games in Greece.
- field
- Athletics (track and field)
- known_for
- Running, jumping, and throwing events; oldest organized sport; Olympic and World Championships competitions
- governing_body
- World Athletics (formerly IAAF)
- key_events
- Sprints, middle- and long-distance, hurdles, race walking, long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put, javelin, discus, hammer, combined events (pentathlon, heptathlon, decathlon), relays
Lore & Background
Track and field has prehistoric roots, as running, jumping, and throwing are natural human expressions. The first recorded organized events were the Ancient Olympic Games, which included footraces and the pentathlon (long jump, javelin, discus, stadion footrace, and wrestling). Events spread to Rome around 201 BC. In the Middle Ages, new events developed in Northern Europe, such as stone put and weight throw in Ireland and Scotland, precursors to shot put and hammer. Pole vault emerged from competitions like fierljeppen in the 18th century North European Lowlands. Discrete track and field competitions separate from general festivals were first recorded in the 19th century, organized among educational institutions, military organizations, and sports clubs. The first modern-style indoor meetings were recorded in the 1860s. The revival of the Olympic Games at the end of the 19th century marked a new high for track and field. The International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) was established as the international governing body, enshrining amateurism. Until the early 1920s, track and field was almost exclusively male; women's participation was initially limited to walking events, considered more appropriate.
Reader's Guide
Track and field is significant as one of the oldest sports, with prehistoric roots and a continuous history from the Ancient Olympic Games to the modern era. It forms the core of the broader sport of athletics, which also includes road running, cross country, and race walking. The sport's two most prestigious international competitions are the athletics competition at the Olympic Games and the World Athletics Championships, governed by World Athletics (formerly IAAF). Track and field events are divided by gender, with mixed relays as an exception, and include individual and team events (relays). Records are kept at world, continental, and national levels, with disqualification for rule violations. The sport's development in the 19th century, through educational institutions and clubs, led to codified rules and national bodies, enabling international competition. The revival of the Olympics consolidated metric measurements and expanded the programme. Track and field's legacy includes its role in promoting amateurism, though that rule was later relaxed, and its gradual inclusion of women's events. The sport remains a fundamental expression of human physical abilities and a cornerstone of global athletic competition.
Did You Know?
- The name 'track and field' in North America derives from the venue: a running track and a grass field for throwing and some jumping events.
- Until the early 1920s, track and field was almost exclusively male; women were initially required to participate in walking events, considered more appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is track and field?
Track and field is an umbrella sport made up of competitive running, jumping, and throwing contests. The name, common in North America, comes from the two main areas of the venue: a circular running track and an open grass field where field events are held.
What events are included in track and field?
The sport spans sprints, middle- and long-distance races, hurdles, relays, plus jumping events like long jump, triple jump, high jump, and pole vault. Throwing events include shot put, javelin, discus, and hammer, while combined events such as the decathlon and heptathlon test athletes across multiple disciplines.
How old is track and field?
Track and field traces its roots back to prehistoric times and was a central feature of the Ancient Olympic Games in Greece. It is widely regarded as one of the oldest organized sports in human history.
Who governs track and field internationally?
The sport is overseen by World Athletics, the body formerly known as the IAAF. It sets the rules, maintains world records, and organizes major competitions including the Olympic Games and World Championships.
What's the difference between 'track and field' and 'athletics'?
In North America the term 'track and field' is standard, while most of the rest of the world uses 'athletics' for the same sport. Athletics is the broader umbrella that also encompasses road running, cross country, and race walking beyond the stadium-based events.
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