The Ultimate Test of Athletics: Heptathlon and Decathlon
Athletes around the world push themselves to the limit in the heptathlon and decathlon, two of the most grueling tests of athleticism in track and field. These events require a combination of speed, strength, agility, and endurance to determine the “World’s Greatest Athlete.”
What is the Heptathlon?
The heptathlon consists of seven events spread over two days:
- 100-meter hurdles
- High jump
- Shot put
- 200 meters
- Long jump
- Javelin throw
- 800 meters
What is the Decathlon?
The decathlon is a grueling test of ten events over two days:
- 100 meters
- Long jump
- Shot put
- High jump
- 400 meters
- 110-meter hurdles
- Discus throw
- Pole vault
- Javelin throw
- 1,500 meters
Why Separate Events for Men and Women?
Men compete in the decathlon, while women compete in the heptathlon. These events are seen as the ultimate test of all-around athleticism in track and field. The heptathlon favors speed, while the decathlon favors endurance.
Prior to the heptathlon, women competed in the pentathlon until it was replaced by the heptathlon in the 1984 Olympics. There is a growing movement to add a women’s decathlon, led by decathlete Jordan Gray, but Olympic organizers have yet to make the change.
Athletes like Kendell Williams have expressed the challenges of the decathlon, with Williams stating that “at the end of a decathlon, it looks like the guys have been massacred.” The debate of adding a women’s decathlon continues in the world of track and field.
Sources:
– Let Women Decathlon
– New York Times
