Name the Ten Track & Field Events in the Decathlon

The first modern-day Olympic decathlon event dates back to 1912 and the Olympic games held in Stockholm, Sweden. The very first Olympic decathlon winner was America's Jim Thorpe. As the name implies the decathlon comprises ten events. During track and field games the ten events are held over two days.

  1. 100-Meter Dash

    • The 100-meter dash serves as a measurement for basic leg strength and speed. The race consists of 3 to 8 runners. The runners start in a crouched position and at the sound of the starting gun, push off the starting blocks, sprint for 100-meters and lean into the tape at the finish line.

    Long Jump

    • In the long jump, each athlete gets three chances to perform his best jump. An athlete runs toward the sand pit and plants a foot along the toeboard. If the athlete's foot steps beyond the eight-inch toeboard, the athlete receives a foul for that turn. When the athlete lands in the sand pit, the jump is measured from the landing point to the toeboard.

    Shot Put

    • Athletes push a 16-pound iron ball from a concrete throwing circle seven feet wide. The objective is to "put" the iron ball as far as possible and land it within a sector that's 40-degrees wide. Athletes have three attempts to achieve the best possible score.

    High Jump

    • Athletes run toward a raised bar and must push off of one foot to leap over the bar. The bar height increases three centimeters at a time and athletes are disqualified after three consecutive misses.

    400-Meter Run

    • The 400-meter run tests an athlete's speed and endurance. The race normally consists of 2 to 7 runners, and each runner must stay in her lane throughout the race.

    110-Meter Hurdle

    • Athletes sprint over ten barriers or hurdles 42-inches high and placed 10 yards apart. The athlete can only take three strides between each hurdle and cannot purposely knock hurdles down during the race.

    Discus Throw

    • Athletes throw the 8¼-inch diameter disc in an attempt to land it within a 40-degree sector. The athlete turns 1½ times within the 8¼-foot circle and must not step outside of the circle during the throw. The athlete gets three attempts for the best possible score.

    Pole Vault

    • The athlete uses a 14 to 15-foot fiberglass pole to swing himself over a crossbar. The athlete runs towards the crossbar and plants the pole into a box designed to stop his movement and allow him to pull up and over the crossbar.

    Javelin Throw

    • Javelin participants hurl an 800-gram metal spear that measures 8½-feet long towards a sector that measures 29-degrees. When throwing the javelin, the athlete must not step out of the arc or he receives a foul. Again, the best score out of three attempts are used in the final scoring.

    1500-Meter Run

    • The 1500-meter run makes up the longest endurance event of the decathlon. Athletes run 3¾ laps around the 400-meter track.