Track and field began at the Olympic Games, first held in Greece in 776 BC. Held indoors during the winter, and outdoors during summer, track and field is contested internationally. The largest event in track and field is the Olympic Games, held every four years. There are many governing bodies involved with track and field each having a variation to the rules for their event. However, many of the basic rules are similar: distances, weights, and measurements to name a few.
The Track
An outdoor track has eight lanes, is 400 meters in length, with two turns, and two straights. Running events move in a counter-clockwise direction around the track. Not all running events require athletes to stay in their assigned lane for the entire race distance. In these events, such as the 200- and 400-meter races, a curved start line ensures that all athletes complete the required distance. According to the International Association of Athletics Federation, the governing body for the Diamond League, a series devoted to elite track and field events worldwide, there are three types of track surfaces used in track and field: synthetic compound, unbound mineral surfaces and grass. A synthetic surface is preferred for track events, with grass used for field events.
Running Events
Track events highlight the speed and endurance of individual athletes. Unlike indoor events, outdoor track athletes may contend with adverse weather conditions, such as wind, rain, or heat. Distances of the track events fall within three categories: short, medium, or long. For the short- and medium-distance events, such as the 100- and 200-meter runs, athletes place their feet into the starting blocks. This helps athlete generate leverage for a powerful and fast start. An athlete starting before the gun sounds is disqualified. All races, regardless of the distance, use the same finish line, located on the main straightaway of the track. However, each distance has a unique starting line. In events called the hurdles, athletes must jump over equally spaced gates placed in their assigned lane. A relay consists of four runners, each running a quarter of the race distance. Runners need to pass a baton to each another ending one leg, and starting the next leg of the relay, without dropping the baton.
Field Events
Athletes participating in field events are either throwers or jumpers. Throwing events include the shot put, hammer throw, discus or javelin. Athletes throw their weight far as possible, using a complex throwing motion, keeping the weight within set boundaries. Jumping events include the pole vault, high jump and long jump, all with the goal of jumping higher or farther. The pole vault requires the athlete to vault up and over a cross bar, using a pole made from fiberglass. He has three chances to clear each new height. The high jump requires an athlete to jump and clear a raised bar, at a determined height, using only the momentum his body generates. The athlete has three attempts. Similar to the pole vault, the jump is successful if the bar stays in place, even if the jumper makes contact with it. The long jump is a combination of speed and jumping skills. Athletes run down a straightaway before launching themselves into the air, landing in a sand pit. The winning athlete will have jumped the farthest.
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