Athletics

Athletics includes a wide range of running, jumping, and throwing events known collectively as track and field. As a core part of the Olympic Games, it is practiced by athletes of all levels - from local club runners to world champions.

	Info
Sport Type	Track and field (running, jumping, throwing)
Track Events	Sprints, middle-distance, long-distance, hurdles, relays
Field Events	Long jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put, discus, javelin, hammer throw
Road Events	Marathon, race walking
Combined Events	Heptathlon (women), decathlon (men)
Olympic Status	Core Olympic sport since the first modern Games in 1896
Global Reach	Practised at grassroots, school, amateur, and elite levels worldwide

Sprint Running

Sprint running includes the three shortest and fastest races in athletics: the 100m, 200m, and 400m. These high-intensity events are centrepieces at the Olympic Games and World Athletics Championships, with athletes reaching top speeds over curved and straight sections of the track.

Discipline	Track Layout	Men's World Record	Women's World Record
100m	Straight only	9.58 - Usain Bolt (2009)	10.49 - Florence Griffith-Joyner (1988)
200m	Curve + straight	19.19 - Usain Bolt (2009)	21.34 - Florence Griffith-Joyner (1988)
400m	Full lap of track	43.03 - Wayde van Niekerk (2016)	47.60 - Marita Koch (1985)

Middle And Long Distance Running

Middle- and long-distance running events test athletes' endurance, pacing, and tactical racing across a variety of track and road formats.

These races range from the 800 metres on the track to the marathon on the road, and are featured at major championships and mass-participation events worldwide.

Discipline	Distance & Type	Men's World Record	Women's World Record
800m	2 laps (track)	1:40.91 - David Rudisha (2012)	1:53.28 - Jarmila Kratochvílová (1983)
1500m	3.75 laps (track)	3:26.00 - Hicham El Guerrouj (1998)	3:49.04 - Faith Kipyegon (2024)
5000m	12.5 laps (track)	12:35.36 - Joshua Cheptegei (2020)	14:00.21 - Gudaf Tsegay (2023)
Half Marathon	21.0975 km (road)	56:42 - Jacob Kiplimo (2025)	1:02:52 - Letesenbet Gidey (2021)
Marathon	42.195 km (road)	2:00:35 - Kelvin Kiptum (2023)	2:09:56 - Ruth Chepngetich (2024)

Hurdles

Hurdles events blend sprint speed with technical hurdle jumping. Athletes race over evenly spaced barriers, using precise timing and rhythm to clear each one without losing speed.

Men and women compete at different hurdle heights and distances, all featured at the Olympic Games.

Discipline	Distance & Format	Hurdles Height	Current World Record (Men/Women)
100m (Womens)	Sprint (10 hurdles)	0.84 m (33 in)	12.12 - Tobi Amusan (2022)
110m (Men)	Sprint (10 hurdles)	1.067 m (42 in)	12.80 - Aries Merritt (2012)
400m (Women)	Full lap (10 hurdles)	0.76 m (30 in)	50.37 - Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone (2024)
400m (Men)	Full lap (10 hurdles)	0.91 m (36 in)	45.94 - Karsten Warholm (2021)

Jumping Events In Athletics

Jumping events are field disciplines where athletes aim to achieve the greatest possible height or distance using speed, strength, and technique.

Discipline	Description	Key Equipment / Action	Current World Record (Men/Women)
High Jump	Vertical leap over a bar using a curved run-up and back-first technique (Fosbury Flop)	None (uses body only)	2.45 m - Javier Sotomayor (1993) 2.10 m - Yaroslava Mahuchikh (2024)
Long Jump	Fast sprint followed by a horizontal leap from a take-off board	Take-off board, sandpit	8.95 m - Mike Powell (1991) 7.52 m - Galina Chistyakova (1988)
Triple Jump	A hop, step, and jump performed in sequence for maximum distance	Take-off board, sandpit	18.29 m - Jonathan Edwards (1995) 15.74 m - Yulimar Rojas (2022)
Pole Vault	Athletes use a pole vault pole to launch over a high bar	Fiberglass or carbon fibre pole	6.28 m - Armand Duplantis (2025) 5.06 m - Yelena Isinbayeva (2009)

Throwing Events In Athletics

Throwing events are power-based field disciplines where athletes aim to throw an object as far as possible using strength, speed, and technique.

Legendary athletes like Fatima Whitbread have helped elevate the profile of these events on the world stage.

Discipline	Info	Object Weight (Men/Women)	Current World Record (Men/Women)
Shot Put	A heavy metal ball is pushed from the shoulder using explosive strength and precise technique	7.26 kg / 4 kg	23.56 m - Ryan Crouser (2023) 22.63 m - Natalya Lisovskaya (1987)
Discus	A disc-shaped object is thrown after a spin inside a circular area	2 kg / 1 kg	75.56 - Mykolas Alekna (2025) 76.80 m - Gabriele Reinsch (1988)
Hammer Throw	A metal ball attached to a wire is spun and thrown from a circle	7.26 kg / 4 kg	86.74 m - Yuriy Sedykh (1986) 82.98 m - Anita Włodarczyk (2016)
Javelin	A spear-like implement is thrown after a sprint and single-arm release	800 g / 600 g	98.48 m - Jan Železný (1996) 72.28 m - Barbora Špotáková (2008)

Relay Race

Relay races are team events where athletes run in sequence, passing a baton between them. These events feature in all major competitions and include both men's, women's, and mixed-gender formats.

Discipline	Info	Total Distance	Key Features	Current World Record (Men/Women)
4 x 100m	Each runner sprints 100m	400m	Requires fast baton handoffs in short zones	Men - 36.84 - Jamaica (2012) Women - 40.82 - United States (2012)
4 x 400m	Each runner completes one full lap	1600m	Emphasises pacing and endurance	Men - 2:54.29 - United States (1993) Women - 3:15.17 Soviet Union (1988)
Mixed 4 x 400m	2 men and 2 women per team	1600m	Athletes can run in any gender order	3:07.41 - United States (2024)
Relay Race Baton	Passing the baton smoothly is crucial for success. It measures 28-30 cm in length and weighs 50-60 grams		Dropping the baton can lead to disqualification. Must be passed within a marked exchange zone
Championships	All relay formats are featured in the Olympics and World Championships		Often the closing event of track competitions

How Many People Are In A Relay Race?

Relay teams are made up of four runners, each completing one segment of the total race.

• The first runner in a relay race is often chosen for their quick reaction and reliable start.
• The anchor leg, or last runner, is typically the team's fastest or most experienced athlete - tasked with securing the finish.

Relay Race Rules

Relay races follow specific rules to ensure fair and safe competition. The most important rule involves the baton exchange, which must occur within a designated 30-metre exchange zone.

Errors such as dropping the baton, passing it outside the zone, or stepping out of your lane can lead to disqualification.

Rule Element	Info
Ground Contact	One foot must always be in contact with the ground
Straight-Leg Rule	Front leg must be straight from initial contact until it passes under the body
Judge Monitoring	Judges positioned around the course observe walking technique
Warnings	Athletes receive red cards for visible rule violations
Penalties	3 red cards = disqualification; pit lane penalties may apply in some events

Race Walk Speed

Race walkers maintain impressive speeds while staying within strict technique rules. At the elite level, they can cover 20 km in just over 1 hour 20 minutes - almost as fast as a light jog - making it one of the most demanding endurance events in athletics.

Where To Watch Athletics

You can watch athletics and race walking events live and for free on Eurovision Sport. From sprints and relays to long-distance races, jumps, throws, and technical events like race walking, every discipline is available to stream without a subscription.