Decathlon

The Decathlon is a two day contest comprising 10 individual track and field events. The name is derived from Greek. The word Deca, meaning ten and athlon meaning contest. The two day contest also takes it roots from ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks performed what was known as a pentathlon, a one day contest comprising 5 different events. These included discus throw, Javelin, long jump, sprints and wrestling matches. This was so popular that they became part of the religious games.

The Decathlon differs from other track and field contests in a few ways. First, the athletes compete for performance points and not positioning. Second, it is exclusive to men. Although there is growing pressure for the creation of a women’s decathlon, women athletes compete in the heptathlon events.

The decathlon is organized in the following way. On day one the athletes compete in the 100 meters, Long jump, shot put, high jump and 400 meters. On day two the athletes complete the 110 meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, Javelin throw and 1500 meters race.

The first modern decathlon was held in Sweden on October 15th 1911. This is however contested by Germany who held a decathlon event on the same day. At this time the athletes performed all 10 events in a single day. The decathlon was added to the Olympic in the 1912 Stockholm games. American Jim Thorpe won the Gold medal in these Olympics by a 700 point margin. This record was not to be beaten for another 15 years.

The Decathlon is an event that comprises 10 different contests. The athlete generally competes against themselves whilst keeping a watchful eye over the competition. The Decathlon has its roots in ancient Greece. It is decided on a point system of performance rather than positioning. An athlete does not have to be master of all events to be decathlon champion. However, they must brush up performance on their weakest event to make a showing.