What are the Athletics?

Athletics, also called track-and-field sports or track and field, a variety of competitions in running,
walking, jumping, and throwing events.

What is the history of athletics?

The Ancient Greeks

The first Olympics in ancient Greece go back at least as far as the eighth or ninth century B.C. While such
sports as boxing and equestrian events were included, most of the events were those now classified
under athletics or track and field. They included running, jumping, discus and the javelin.

Rules of Athletics

Each individual discipline has its own specific set of rules and competitors are expected to abide by
these to ensure that the competition is fair.

3 Categories of Athletics
1. Running
*Sprint
History of Sprinting At The Olympics

sprinting has evolved and grown immensely since the first barefoot and naked competitors ran the
stadion on that exposed ground. When the modern Olympic Games began in 1896, sprinters ran a 100-
meter dash and 400-meter dash.

Rules

The racer that reaches the finish line in the shortest amount of time wins. In general, if more than eight
runners participate in a race, qualifying heats are run with the eight fastest runners advancing to the
finals.

Equipment in sprint

Fancy Footwear-Track spikes are running shoes worn by sprinters during practices and races.
They are lightweight, so the sprinter can run faster.

*Middle-distance running

History

While the men's 100-m Olympic championship is the most glamorous running event in the world, and
the Boston Marathon is likely the best-known race, the one-mile race has a fabled history. The pursuit of
the four-minute barrier in the mile by Roger Bannister of England, challenged by John Landy of Australia
and Wes Santee of the United States, captured international sporting attention through the early 1950s,
as did the later battles of Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett in the late 1970s.

Rules

All Olympic middle and long distance races begin with a standing start. The start command is, “On your
marks.” Runners may not touch the ground with their hands during the start. As in all races – except
those in the decathlon and heptathlon – runners are permitted one false start and are disqualified on
their second false start.

Equipment

running shoes will generally need to be better than a sprinter would need as you will be using them for a
lot more mileage. Although, generally, you get what you pay for, it is certainly not necessary to spend a
fortune on them.
*Long- Distance Running

History

Rules

All Olympic middle and long distance races begin with a standing start. The start command is, “On your
marks.” Runners may not touch the ground with their hands during the start. As in all races – except
those in the decathlon and heptathlon – runners are permitted one false start and are disqualified on
their second false start.

Equipment
These are the most important item for runners. You must not run in shoes designed for other sports,
as they will not provide you with the right support you need for running. Go to sports’ shops and ask
an assistant for help in finding the right shoes for you. Don’t just pick a pair because they seem to fit
well or you like the look of them. Try all sorts of different brands and jog around the shop in them
before you make your choice.

Hurdling

History

was first invented around 1830, when the race was 91 meters long, and the hurdles were large wooden
barriers. In 1888, the race length was extended to 110 meters long. Previously to 1896, the large
wooden barriers were replaced with lighter hurdles,which would fall over when they were knocked or
hit. In 1896, the 110 meter hurdle race became an official Olympic race. In 1900, the 400 meter hurdle
race was introduced to the Olympics as well. Before 1926, all hurdles had been run by men, however, in
1926, women ran their first hurdle race, with a distance of 80 meters. In 1932, women's hurdles was
considered an Olympic sport. In 1969, the distance was extended by 20 meters, from 80 meters to 100
meters. This became the standard length, accepted by the Olympics in 1972. In 1984, 400 meter
women's hurdles was introduced.

Rules

A hurdler who runs around a hurdle is automatically disqualified. Runners who trail a leg or foot below
the horizontal plane of the hurdle's top at the moment of clearance also are disqualified, according to
IAAF rules.

Equipment

We carry an extensive inventory of sprints and hurdles equipment. We have everything needed by the
coach or athlete including hurdles, starting blocks, replacement track spikes, and batons.
Relays

History

The 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m for both men and women are the two codes of short distance relay races
that are conducted as part of the track and field events during the Olympics.

Rules

A) Each relay team will consist of 4 runners. C) The runners must run in the order 1, 2, 3, 4 then 1, 2, 3,
4. You cannot deviate from your order or your team will be disqualified. Each team assigns, within their
team, which number runner will be 1, 2, 3 or 4 and they will then run each of their two legs in that
order.
Equipment

A Relay Baton sometimes referred to a track baton is one of the more simple pieces of Athletics
Equipment required at a track, but a number of considerations need to be addressed before purchasing.
Relay batons can be made from aluminum or plastic.
2.Jumping

High Jump

History

The high jump was among the first events deemed acceptable for women, having been held at the
1928 Olympic Games. Javier Sotomayor (Cuba) is the current men's record holder with a jump of 2.45 m
(8 ft 1⁄4 in) set in 1993 – the longest standing record in the history of the men's high jump.
Rules

The high jump requires an athlete to jump, leaping off of one foot, over a horizontally lying bar. The
crossbar is held in the air by high jump standards, which are usually metal stands that are marked with
height measurements.
Equipment

Leader in distribution of sports items, Sport System offers essential range of equipment for High
Jump including landing area, support platforms, crossbars and stands. Complete range of Sport System’s
equipment for high jump includes:
 Colored steel run-up marker with tip for insertion on the ground
 High Jump landing area
 Landing area support and lifting platform
 Control meter for high jump
 Fiberglass crossbars, expanded polyethylene or aluminium with circular section
 High jump stands in galvanized steel or aluminium.
Pole Vault
Pole-vaulting is conducted along the lines of the high jump; i.e., vaulters attempt to vault over a crossbar placed on
uprights, they have three tries at each height, and they land in an inflated or composition pit.
The vaulter runs down a runway for about 45 metres (150 feet) carrying a pole. After planting the end of the pole in a
box that is sunk below ground level, the vaulter leaves the ground and pulls himself upward until he is almost doing a
handstand on the pole. He twists as he nears the crossbar and arches over it feetfirst and facedown.

History
Pole jumping competitions were known to the ancient Greeks, Cretans and Celts. It has been a full
medal event at the Olympic Games since 1896 for men and since 2000 for women. It is typically
classified as one of the four major jumping events in athletics, alongside the high jump, long jump and
triple jump.

Rules
General Rules

 On the scoring form, it is mandatory to mention the weight of the athlete next to his name.
 At any particular height, maximum three trials are allowed.
 After three consecutive failures in trial, the athlete is automatically removed from the
tournament.
 After taking the first attempt, it is advised to take second and third consecutive attempts at
the same height.

Equipment
 Pole Vault Equipment
 Pole Vault Poles.
 Pole Vault Crossbars.
 Pole Vault Pits, Covers & Shelters.
 Pole Vault Boxes and Collars.
 Pole Vault Standards & Base Pads.
 Replacement Spikes.
 Misc. Pole Vault Equipment.
Long Jump

History
The origins of the long jump can be traced to the Olympics in Ancient Greece, when athletes
carried weights in each hand. These were swung forward on take-off and released in the middle
of the jump in a bid to increase momentum.
Rules
The runway must be at least 40 meters long. Competitors may place as many as two location markers on
the runway. The jumper's farthest point forward in contact with the take-off board, I. e., the toe of
the jumper's shoe, must be behind the leading edge of the take-off board.

Equipment
Long Jump and Triple Jump Equipment. M-F Athletic is your one-stop shop for long jump and triple
jump equipment including take-off systems, pit rakes, pit covers, and measuring equipment.
Triple Jump

History

The origins of the triple jump are obscure, but it may be related to the ancient children's game
hopscotch. It has been a modern Olympic event since the first Games in 1896; at those Games two hops
were used, but one hop was used at the Olympics thereafter.
Rules

The runway is at least 40 meters long. Competitors may place as many as two markers on the runway.
Jumpers take off in the “hop” phase and land on the takeoff leg. They take one step onto the other foot
(step phase), then jump. Otherwise, triple jump rules are identical to those of the long jump. Jumps are
measured from the nearest impression made in the landing pit by any part of the jumper’s body.
Equipment

Triple jump equipment is in fact exactly the same as that required for long jump, just that triple jump
uses a series of take-off boards (usually 3 but 4 for top level competition) to cater for athletes of
differing abilities. In addition to the take-off boards, triple jump and long jump requires both a Run-
up/Runway and a Sandpit.

3.Throwing

Shot put

History

Shot put competitions were recorded in early 19th century Scotland and were a part of the British
Amateur Championships beginning in 1866. Shot put was an original modern Olympic event, with
American Robert Garrett winning at the Athens Games in 1896.
rules
1. Once the athlete’s name is called, they have 60 seconds to release the shot
2. The shot must be placed close to the neck and resting on the shoulder, while keeping it in
that position the entire time until it is released. No padding or extra equipment is necessary
3. The shot must be released above the height of the shoulder with one hand
4. The athlete is permitted to touch the inside surface of the stop board; however neither the
top nor the outside of the circle or stop board can be touched or passed
5. The shot is required to land within the legal sector (34.92°)
6. The competitor must exit the circle from the back

Equipment

Accessory shot put equipment including shot put carriers, Throwing Balls, the Sector Template, and
distance markers. Our cost-saving starter and team packages (for boys and girls) include shot puts and
discus.
 Discus Throw

History

Discus throwing dates back to the ancient Greek Olympic Games, as depicted in this Fifth Century B.C.
statue from the British Museum, "Discobolus," by the sculptor Myron. The 8th century B.C. poet Homer
also referred to discus throwing, which was a part of the Greeks' pentathlon event.

Rules

The discus can only be thrown by an athlete when he or she will stand inside a circle which has a
diameter of 2.5m. During the course of throw, the athletes are prohibited from touching the top of the
rim. However, they can touch the inner part of the rim. An athlete cannot touch the ground beyond the
circle.

Equipment

The discus throw equipment are available for amateur as well as for professionals. The
main equipment in the game is the discus that comes in various materials and weights.
The equipment in the playing environment such as the cage is also equally important for safe playing.

Hammer Throw

History

Hammer throwing, one of the throwing events in track and field, was developed into a sport centuries
ago in Ireland, Scotland, and England. Legends trace it back in various forms to the Tailteann games held
in Tara, Ireland, around in 1829 BC.

Rules

The head of the hammer should be made up of solid material like iron and it should be spherical in
shape. ...

Filling is allowed and should be done in such a manner that it will be immovable and the centre of
gravity will not be more than 6 mm from the centre of the sphere.

Equipment

All the equipment you need for the track & field hammer throw and weight throw events including
hammers, weights, hammer handles and wires, throwing shoes, throwing gloves, and throwing circles.

Javelin Throw
History
The origin of the javelin throw is obvious. The first throwers were primitive hunters seeking food. The
first known competitive use of a javelin occurred in the ancient Greek Olympics, where the javelin throw
was a part of the five-event pentathlon. The Greeks' javelin included a thong attached to the cord grip

Rules

 Holding the javelin must be done at the grip part and should always be maintained
above the shoulder level.
 For valid throw, the javelin must lie before the specified zone and its tip should hit the
ground.
 There is a special marking line on the runway within which the athlete needs to throw.

Equipment
Our javelin equipment accessories include javelin carrying tubes & bags, car racks, the Javelin
Stop Board, and the Gill Javelin Certification Kit. The J-Heel converts a regular track shoe into a
javelin throwing shoe by adding rear spikes.
Table Tennis

history

Table tennis, also called (trademark) Ping-Pong, ball game similar in principle to lawn tennis and played
on a flat table divided into two equal courts by a net fixed across its width at the middle. The object is to
hit the ball so that it goes over the net and bounces on the opponent’s half of the table in such a way
that the opponent cannot reach it or return it correctly. The lightweight hollow ball is propelled back
and forth across the net by small rackets (bats, or paddles) held by the players. The game is popular all
over the world. In most countries it is very highly organized as a competitive sport, especially
in Europe and Asia, particularly in China and Japan.

Rules

I’ve summarised the official (and very long) rules of the ITTF in these basic table tennis rules. These
should be all you need to start playing a game.

Service Rules

The service must start with the ball in an open palm. This stops you from throwing it up with spin.

The ball must be thrown vertically, at least 16 cm. This stops you from serving straight out of your hand
and surprising your opponent.

The ball must be above and behind the table throughout the serve. This stops you getting any silly
angles and gives your opponent a fair chance at returning.

After throwing the ball, the server must get their free arm and hand out of the way. This is to allow the
receiver to see the ball.

Equipment

The term keeps changing depending on the country where it is played. As for Britain, it is bat; in the
USA, it is called a paddle. The term followed by ITTF is racquet.

The racquet is laminated and covered with rubber on either side or on both the sides depending on the
player. The player based on his/her grip decides whether they need the rubber on either or on both
sides.

The handle of the racquet is called blade. This blade could be made of many different materials varying
from glass fiber, cork, carbon fiber, Kevlar to aluminum fiber. But ITTF recommends that at least 85% of
the paddle has to be made of wood. Woods to be used are cypress and Korina. The bat is usually is 6
inches (15 cm) wide and 6.5 inches (17 cm) long.