Track And Field Sports

Athletics is derived from the Greek word ‘athlon’, that means contest. When you speak of athletics, it involves the collection of sports events that include running, jumping and throwing. The original event in the First Olympics of 776 BC was the stadium length foot race of athletics.

Today, the Olympics are organized once in four years, in different countries where athletes from different countries compete in all types of events in the field of athletics. In the beginning, only men were selected and participated in the Olympic Games. It was only in 1928 that women first participated in track and field events.

The running events of athletics are usually held around a 400m running track while the field events of jumping, throwing and vaulting are held within the track. The events conducted in an athletic meet include hurdles, pole vaulting, shot put, jumping, running and various other events.

There are numerous meets, games and competitions held to improve the standard of athletics and the spirit of competitiveness amongst athletes. In fact, another international governing body, the IAAF was established in 1912 to conduct regional games in athletics besides the Olympics. Some of the championships it governs are European Championships, Commonwealth Games and the World Indoor Championships.

Most of the colleges, universities and high schools have athletic directors and trainers who train potential athletes of tomorrow. There are some institutions that specifically train athletes to bring out their potential to add laurels to their country. It is not that easy to become an athletic director or trainer. There are different education qualifications and levels of experience to be met before you can become a trainer or athletic director.

The field of athletics has improved so much that there are different countries manufacturing different types of athletic wear, athletic women’s wear, athletic shorts, athletic supporters and athletic equipment for use by athletes in track and field events. It is important to choose the right athletic wear for yourself depending on the climate, the type of events you take part in and your budget.

There are also many companies that sign athletes to endorse their products like shoes and athletic wear so that the company gains popularity in the field of athletics. As it can be seen, athletics now plays a major part in the welfare of athletes and the economy and fame of a country. This is why there is more and more interest in athletics, with an increasing number of participants in it. Will the day come when Man can run under 9 seconds in the 100m? One day, it will be possible.