What Are the Ten Events That Make up the Decathlon?
The ten events that make up the decathlon are spread over two days and include the 100-meter sprint, long jump, shot put, high jump and 400-meter run on the first day, followed by the 110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and 1500-meter run on the second day. Points are awarded for each event, and the competitor with the highest aggregate score is declared the winner.
The decathlon made its first Olympic appearance at the 1912 Games in Stockholm. This men’s event challenges competitors to perform at their best in a wide range of track-and-field events that test for power, speed, agility and endurance to determine the best all-around athlete. The youngest man to take the Olympic decathlon title is Bob Mathias, an American who was just 17 years old when he won the event in 1948. He competed at the next Olympics in 1952 and became a two-time decathlon champion. Competition for the women’s all-around title began with the 1984 Olympics, when the seven-event heptathlon was introduced. This comparable event, which is also staged over two days, consists of the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200-meter run on the first day followed by the long jump, javelin throw and 800-meter run on the second day.
