HISTORY
If you hadn’t known, track and fielding originated from the ancient Olympics Games in Greece. Though it was introduced around 776 BCE alongside many other religious activities, its popularity didn’t flare until the 1860s. England was interested in fielding and track first, yet the sport later traveled to the United States. By 1887, the US founded The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), which has been the governing body since.
EVENTS
Track events specifically include indoor and outdoor sprints. 50 yards to 500 meters is known as the “indoor sprints,” meanwhile “outdoor sprints” include either 100, 200, or 400 meters. Hurdles and relay teams are put on the track and the athlete must run while jumping over the barriers. Relay teams are composed of four athletes who each run separate distances or legs of the race.
Field events nowadays indulge in high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer. Vertical jump competitions include the high jump and pole vault. These events are scored by the height at which each athlete reaches without knocking down the pole/marker.
Horizontal jump competitions include the long and triple jump. Both of these are measured by how far an athlete can jump forward, with the winner jumping the farthest into a sandpit from a runway.
The triple jump has specific components of a hop, step, and jump.
Throwing competitions include shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer. The winner of these events succeeds by throwing the object the farthest.
Present Day
These competitions held once by Greek and Roman warriors could be considered the birthplace of true sport. Track and field has grown to one of the most participated and popular sports around the world. Whether you are an avid all-year fan or just catch the highlights every four years watching the Olympics, track and field has been a part of history since ancient times and will continue to be for many years to come.
