PE REVIEWER

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

An athlete is a person engaging in these events.

The name is derived from the Greek word "athlon" meaning "contest."

At the first Games in 776 BC in Olympia, Greece, only one event was contested: the stadion foot race.

Perhaps as early as 1829 BC, Ireland was the scene of the Lugnasad festival’s Tailteann Games, involving various forms of track-and-
field activity.

A stadium-length foot race was the original event at the first Olympics in 776 B.C.E.

In 1936 Jesse Owens won a then-unprecedented four gold medals. He captured the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, long jump, and
4x100 meter relay.

In 1948, starting blocks and wind gauges were introduced, allowing faster sprints and more accurate standards of comparison.

In the 1950s came the fiberglass pole for the pole vault.

In 1960, Ethiopia’s Abebe Bikila (famously barefoot) won his first of two Olympic marathon golds, both in world record times.

In 1980, Bikila’s countryman Miruts Yifter, nicknamed ―Yifter the Shifter‖ for his revolutionarily fast finish, won his second and third
Olympic gold medals in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter races.

Bolt brought track and field to programs like ESPN’s SportsCenter. He was twice named ―Laureus World Sportsman of the Year.

Seasons: The indoor season goes from the end of December to March, and outdoor runs from the end of March to August. Indoor
tracks are usually 200 meters (m) around, while outdoor tracks are 400m. Outdoor track competitions typically hold more events.

1. Track Events: Running

a. The Sprints: Sprints (or dashes) are the fastest events on the track and test the pure speed of the runner.

b. Middle Distance Running: These races go more than one time around a 400m track. The mid-distance races are: The 800m,
1,500m, 1 mile or 2 mile, and 3,000m.

c. Long Distance Running: The long distance races are the 5,000m and 10,000m.

d. Hurdles: Hurdle races are sprints in which an athlete must jump 10 barriers, called hurdles, over the course of the race.

e. Relays: Relays enhance the team atmosphere of track and field.

2. Walking - This event, also called race walking, is relatively minor.

3. Jumping

a. High Jump: In the high jump, an athlete demonstrates how high he can jump vertically by clearing a bar (in any unaided manner).

b. Pole Vault: The pole vault requires an athlete to use a long pole to power himself over a crossbar without knocking over the bar.

c. Long Jump: Long jumping, formerly called broad jumping, is the least complicated of the field events. The most popular
longjumping style is called the ―hitch-kick,‖ in which the runner seemingly walks in air.

d. Triple Jump: Once known as the hop, step, and jump, the triple jump includes three distinct segments of action.

4. Throwing

a. Shot Put: A throwing event in which the athlete must throw a heavy metal ball as far as possible, without stepping out of the
throwing ring.

b. Discus: A throwing event where a disc-shaped object is thrown by the competitor from a throwing circle.

c. Hammer Throw: The implement used in the hammer throw is not a conventional hammer but a metal ball at least 110 mm (4.3
inches) in diameter attached to a wire, the whole implement being a minimum of 1,175 mm (46.3 inches) in length and weighing a
minimum of 7.2 kg (16 pounds).

d. Javelin Throw: Javelin throwing involves a spear-like implement that is hurled with an over-the-shoulder motion at the end of an
approach run.

There are also "combined events" or "multi events", such as:

• Pentathlon consisting of five events

• Heptathlon consisting of seven events, and

• Decathlon consisting of ten events. In these, athletes participate in a combination of track and field events.

Running Direction - The direction of all running events is counter-clockwise.

Forming Heats  In individual races up to the 800m and in relays up to and including the 4x400m, the number of competitors on the
track at the start will not exceed the number of lanes present.  Athletes can advance to the next round by finishing in the top three
in their heat or by time/overall place.

Starting Blocks 1. Starting blocks are used to protect the track. 2. The option of using the blocks will be available for races up to and
including the 400m. 3. If the starter says it is necessary, a block holder may hold the starting block for the athlete. 4. The commands
of the start of sprints are, ―on your marks‖ and ―set.‖ When all the athletes are ―set,‖ the starting device shall be fired. In races
longer than 400m, the command is ―on your marks.‖

False Starts 1. An athlete can choose to abort the start after the ―on your marks‖ and ―set‖ commands and before the firing of the
starting device by raising his hand or standing up. The athlete may be warned for improper conduct by the referee if the action was
determined to be inappropriate. 2. A false start occurs when an athlete begins the starting motion after assuming a full or final set
position before the firing of the starting device. 3. If a competitor disturbs other athletes at the starting line, it may be considered a
false start. The first false start results in disqualification from the race though frequently changed in recent past. If a starter isn’t
satisfied that all competitors are ready to proceed with the race, he will order the competitors to ―stand up.‖

Lanes 1. On tracks that are 400m long, all competitors in races 400m and under (including hurdle races) must stay in their assigned
lanes for the entire race. 2. The 800m race may start in assigned lanes, but will merge at the break-line at the end of the first turn. 3.
Long-distance races may start at the arc or on a waterfall start.

Hurdles 1. The height, distance from start, and distance between hurdles must be in compliance with the national or international
standards. 2. All races are run in lanes. 3. Three things can disqualify a hurdler: Failing to jump a hurdle, trailing the leg/foot below
the barrier of a hurdle at the moment of clearance, or deliberately knocking down a hurdle.

Steeplechase 1. An athlete can be disqualified if he does not jump any hurdle, steps to one side of the hurdle, or trails the leg or foot
below the barrier at the moment of clearance.

Relay Races 1. In relays, athletes must pass the baton in the designated exchange zones. Failure to do so will result in
disqualification. 2. Exchange zones are 20m long. 3. A dropped baton may be picked up as long as it does not disrupt another team
or lessen the distance that needs to be covered.

FIELD EVENTS:

High Jump 1. The Games Committee will establish the qualifying height standard at the meet. 2. The athlete will get three attempts
to make the height. 3. Once the athlete has achieved the qualifying standard, he will not jump that height again and must wait for
the bar to be raised. 4. If an athlete misses all three attempts at the height, he will not continue in the event. 5. The posts cannot be
moved during the competition unless the referee says the takeoff or landing pit is unsuitable. 6. The athlete must take off from one
foot. 7. Ties will be broken in favor of the athlete with the fewest misses at the height at which the tie occurs. Further ties will be
broken by the lowest number of total misses throughout the competition.

Pole Vault 1. The Games Committee will establish the qualifying height standard at the meet. 2. The athlete will get three attempts
to make the height. 3. Once the athlete has achieved the qualifying standard, he will not jump that height again and must wait for
the bar to be raised. 4. If an athlete misses all three attempts at the height, he will not continue in the event. 5. For a better grip,
athletes are allowed to use an adhesive substance like resin or tape hands. Gloves are not allowed. 6. After the release of the pole,
no one, including the athlete, is allowed to touch the pole unless it is falling away from the bar or uprights. 7. If the pole breaks
during an attempt, that run will not be counted as an attempt or a failure. The athlete will be awarded a new trial. 8. Ties will be
broken in favor of the athlete with the fewest misses at the height at which the tie occurs. Further ties will be broken by the lowest
number of total misses throughout the competition. 9. If a tie remains after applying the above tiebreakers, and it concerns the
winner of the competition, the stalemate will be broken by a jump off. The jump off height begins at the last clearance of the tied
athletes. This height is raised if both athletes clear, and lowered if both miss. This shall continue until one athlete clears and the
other does not.

Long Jump 1. The length of the run is unlimited. 2. The takeoff must occur on or before the board. 3. The jump is measured from the
takeoff line to the nearest break in the landing area made by any part of the body.

Throwing Events 1. Except for in the javelin, the throw must start from a stationary position inside the circle. 2. Except in the javelin,
the athlete is allowed to touch the inside of the board or stop board. 3. Fouls occur when an athlete:

Measurements & Weights 1. All measurements must be read by the field judges. 2. All implements used in the field shall be weighed
prior to the event on a governmentally approved scale.

LESSON 4. TRACK AND FIELD EQUIPMENT

Discus - The discus is a wooden disc surrounded by a metal rim.

Hammer - The hammer consists of three parts: the head, wire and grip.

Javelin - The javelin has three parts, the shaft, head and grip.

Shot Put - The shot is made of solid iron, brass or any metal not softer than brass. It can also be constructed of a metal shell filled
with lead.

Hurdles - The hurdles used in Olympic competition consist of two feet and two uprights supporting a rectangular frame, usually
made of metal.

Vaulting Pole - The vaulting pole is the one field implement that has no official standards for competition.