Athletics at the Summer Olympics
Athletics, known as Track and Field in the United States, has been contested at every Summer Olympics since the birth of the modern Olympic movement at the 1896 Summer Olympics.
Events
[change | change source]The events have been changed over time. From 1900 to 1920, tug of war was in the athletics programme. Today, tug of war and athletics are 2 different sports.[1]
Men's events
[change | change source]No new events have been added to the men's athletics programme since 1952 when the short racewalk was added. The roster of events has not changed since then, with the exception of the omission of the long racewalk in 1976. The long racewalk is the only event held for men but not included on the women's programme.
A total of 52 different events have been held in the men's competition. The current list has 24 events.
Many of the discontinued events were similar to modern ones but at different lengths, especially in the steeplechasing, hurdling, and racewalking disciplines.
Team racing events were only run in the six early editions of the Games.
The athletic multi-discipline triathlon (3 events) and pentathlon (5 events) have been replaced by the 10 event decathlon, and the medley relay replaced by relay races where each section is the same length as the others.
Standing jump competitions are no longer held, nor are the various modified throwing events which were experimented with in 1908 and 1912.
| Event | 96 | 00 | 04 | 08 | 12 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 72 | 76 | 80 | 84 | 88 | 92 | 96 | 00 | 04 | 08 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 metres () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 30 |
| 200 metres () | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 29 |
| 400 metres () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 30 |
| 800 metres () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 30 |
| 1500 metres () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 30 |
| 5000 metres () | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 26 |
| 10,000 metres () | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 26 |
| Marathon () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 30 |
| 110 metres hurdles () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 30 |
| 400 metres hurdles () | – | X | X | X | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 28 |
| 3000 metres steeplechase () | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 25 |
| 4 × 100 metres relay () | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 26 |
| 4 × 400 metres relay () | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 26 |
| 20 kilometres race walk () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 18 |
| High jump () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 30 |
| Pole vault () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 30 |
| Long jump () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 30 |
| Triple jump () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 30 |
| Shot put () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 30 |
| Discus throw () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 30 |
| Hammer throw () | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 29 |
| Javelin throw () | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 27 |
| Decathlon () | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 26 |
| Total | 12 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
| Event | 96 | 00 | 04 | 08 | 12 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 72 | 76 | 80 | 84 | 88 | 92 | 96 | 00 | 04 | 08 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 metres () | – | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| 200 metres hurdles () | – | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| 2500 metres steeplechase | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| 4000 metres steeplechase | - | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| 5000 metres team race | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Standing long jump () | – | X | X | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 4 |
| Standing triple jump () | – | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| Standing high jump () | – | X | X | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 4 |
| 2590 metres steeplechase | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| 4-mile team race | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| All-around | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Triathlon | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| 56 pound weight throw () | – | – | X | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| 3200 metres steeplechase | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Medley relay () | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| 3-mile team race | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| 5 miles | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| 3500 metres race walk | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| 10 miles walk | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Discus throw, Greek style | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Javelin throw, freestyle | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| 3000 metres team race | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3 |
| 10 kilometres race walk | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | – | – | – | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 5 |
| Pentathlon () | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3 |
| Shot put, two hands | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Discus throw, two hands | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Javelin throw, two hands | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Javelin throw, two hands | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Individual cross country () | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3 |
| Team cross country () | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3 |
| 50 kilometres race walk () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | – | 20 |
Women's events
[change | change source]Women's competition in athletics started at the 1928 Summer Olympics
| Event | 28 | 32 | 36 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 72 | 76 | 80 | 84 | 88 | 92 | 96 | 00 | 04 | 08 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 metres () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 23 |
| 200 metres () | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 20 |
| 400 metres () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 15 |
| 800 metres () | X | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 18 |
| 1500 metres () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 14 |
| 5000 metres () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 8 |
| 10,000 metres () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 10 |
| Marathon () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 11 |
| 100 metres hurdles () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 14 |
| 400 metres hurdles () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 11 |
| 3000 metres steeplechase () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | 5 |
| 4 × 100 metres relay () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 23 |
| 4 × 400 metres relay () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 14 |
| 20 kilometres race walk () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 7 |
| High jump () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 23 |
| Pole vault () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 7 |
| Long jump () | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 20 |
| Triple jump () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 8 |
| Shot put () | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 20 |
| Discus throw () | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 23 |
| Hammer throw () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 7 |
| Javelin throw () | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 22 |
| Heptathlon () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 11 |
| Event | 28 | 32 | 36 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 72 | 76 | 80 | 84 | 88 | 92 | 96 | 00 | 04 | 08 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 metres hurdles () | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | − | - | 8 |
| Pentathlon () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | − | − | 5 |
| 3000 metres () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | − | − | 3 |
| 10 kilometres race walk () | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | − | − | 2 |
| Total | 5 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Mixed events
[change | change source]This event has teams of four athletes. 2 are men. 2 are women. They are allowed to run in any order.[2]
| Event | 20 | 24 | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 400 metres relay () | X | X | 2 |
| Marathon Race Walking Mixed Relay () | – | X | 1 |
| Total | 1 | 2 |
Related pages
[change | change source]References
[change | change source]- ↑ Past Olympic Sports. Olympics/IOC. Retrieved on 2010-08-30.
- ↑ "Mixed team race walking to debut at Paris 2024 Olympics". www.insidethegames.biz. 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2023-04-12.