Track Events

Sprints

            Perhaps the most exciting of all running races are the 100, 200, and the 400-meter dashes.  In these events contestants race flat out to be the fastest men and women on Earth. To win this event you have to be the first person to touch the tape at the finish line.  Over the years, runner's time has increased greatly.  Since 1968 men have been trying to beat the record in Mexico City, 9.5 seconds for the 100 meter dash. The record was set by Jim Hines of the United States.  In 1988, it appeared that Ben Johnson from Canada had beaten the record from 1968, his time was 9.97, however he was tested for a drug test and found out that he took steroids before he ran. His medal was taken away!  

    Men's world record in the 100-meter is 9.79 set by Maurice Greene of the United States on June 16, 1999 at Athens, Greece.  The 200-meter record is 19.32 set by Michael Johnson of the United States on August 1, 1996 during the Atlanta Games.

The 400-meter record is 43.18 set by Michael Johnson of the United States on August 26, 1999 at Seville, Spain.

Distant Running

         Long distant running is a test of timing and speed, so the runners must pace themselves so they can run as fast as possible during the whole race.  One of the all time greatest runners was Paavo Nurmi of Finland. He won a total of 12 Olympic Medals from 1920-1932, nine gold medals individually, and three team golds. The events of distant running are 800, 1,500-and 10,000-meters.

Field Events

Long Jump

      The long jump was once called the "broad jump."  It is completed in a single jump into a pit of sand. To begin the long jump the competitor sprints down a long runway and leaps from a take off board.  If the athlete steps past the board before jumping, the jump is considered a foul.  When there are many competitors the athletes are allowed three jumps, and a certain number of leaders qualify for three more. When fewer athletes compete they are each allowed six jumps.  In 1968, Mexico City, Bob Beamon from the United States jumped an amazing 8.9 meters, a record that has not been surpassed yet by anyone. The women's record set by Tatyana Kolpakova from the U.S.S.R. in 1980, is 7.06 meters. 

Triple Jump

     The triple jump was originally called the "hop, step, and jump." It consists of three continuous jumps, the first two completed on a runway. On the first jump, the athlete takes off on one foot and lands on that  exact foot.  On the second jump, they land on the opposite foot. At the end of the third jump, the athlete lands on both feet together. When it was known as the "hop,  step, and jump"  it was won in 1896 by James Connolly, from the Untied States, became the first modern Olympic Champion..

High Jump 

     High jumpers may run toward the pole set to a specific height that resembles a hurdle from any direction. The athlete may use any kind of technique to get over the bar, but they must take off from one foot. In the popular modern style, called the Fosbury Flop, jumpers go over with their back to the bar, and their head clearing first.  Dick Fosbury, invented the Fosbury Flop in 1968. At the time he set a new Olympic record of 2.24 meters, although that record has been broken many times.

 Pole Vault

      Pole vaulters use a long pole usually made of fiberglass. The vaulter begins the event by sprinting down the runway, carrying the pole with two hands. As the athlete nears the vaulting pit, he or she rams the far end of the pole into a wood or medal box embedded into the ground. The pole bends while the vaulter is in the air with his/her back to the ground and feet up. As the pole straightens helping to thrust the vaulter into the air, the athlete pulls himself higher and turns his face to the ground. Before releasing the pole, the vaulter gives a final push with the arms to add to his height. Pole vaulting is only for men. Bob Seagren, the gold medal winner in 1968, was the first American to clear 17 feet, 18 1/2 inches (about 5 meters) .

 Decathlon

     The decathlon is a ten-event competition for men only.  On the first day the athletes compete in the 100 meter run, the long jump, shot put, high jump and the 400 meter run. On the second day the athletes compete in the high hurdles, discuss, pole vault, javelin, and the 1,500- meter run. Daley Thompson of Great Britain holds the current Olympic record with 8,798 points he earned at the 1984 Olympics at Los Angeles.

 Hurdles

      Hurdle races are events where the competitors run over hurdles or a fencelike obstacle which the runner must leap over.  Most of the races have ten hurdles There are two types of hurdle races - intermediate and high.  Intermediate hurdles are 36 inches high for men and 30 inches high for women.  Men's high hurdles are 42 inches high and women's high hurdles are 400 meters long for men and women.  Most outdoor high hurdles are 110 meters.  Runners can knock over hurdles without penalty, but if they do knock a hurdle down, it usually slows them.  Kevin Young of the United States set the world record on August 6, 1992 in Barcelona, Spain with a time of 46.78.

 Steeplechase

    The distance is usually 3,000 meters and there are two types of events. This event is for men only and a runner must jump over hurdles, low bushes, and pools of water.  Runners must clear 36 inch hurdles 28 times.  These hurdles are sturdier than regular obstacles used in hurdle races.  Runners may put a foot on top of the hurdle while they are jumping.  Participants are required to  jump water seven times.  A water jump consists of a hurdle and a water-filled pit 12 feet square.  The pit is 27-1/2" deep at the foot of the hurdle and slopes back up to the track level.

 Walking

   The walking technique is different in an Olympic event.  The race  is completed by men only and the procedure of walking is to have the front foot on the ground before the rear foot can leave the ground.  While the foot is touching the ground, the leg must be straight for just a moment as walking proceeds at a very fast pace with arms swinging.  Walkers are entitled to one warning for wrong technique of walking before they are disqualified.  They also call walking race walking and cover distances of 10 Kilometers which is only for women with 20 and 50 kilometer races scheduled for men.

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