Athletics is the oldest set of sports known in the civilizational world. Raised in ancient Greece, it was the basis of the creation of the Olympic Games in 776 BC.

However, modern athletics were revitalized in 1860 in England to serve as a competition between the famous universities of Oxford and Cambridge. From then on, Athletics grew, becoming again one of the most important sports of nowadays.

Today, athletics has more than 25 modalities and is an integral part of the modern Olympic Games. But of these modalities, do you know which are the main ones?

Know them here:

Running Track

The running track is divided into short-distance or speed (fast shooting) and long-distance.

The short-distance can have as measures:

• 100 meters
  200 meters
  400 meters

Medium bottom:

• 800 meters
  1500 meters

Long-distance :

• 3000 meters or more

All races start with the starting shot, and athletes must be in the starting position: with their feet flat on the starting block and their torso resting on their hands against the ground.

If any athlete departs before the starting shot, it is considered a false start and may be disqualified. However, in combined events, athletes have the benevolence of a false start.

Obstacles Race

Obstacle races are individual races with direct opponents side by side and consist of a race with equidistant barriers. The distances range between 100 meters, 400 and 3000.

However, the standard events of the Olympic program are 2000 and 3000 meters. At 2000 meters, for example, athletes will have to jump 18 times over obstacles and 5 times over the gap.

Relay Race

This type of race consists of teams of four elements. Throughout the race, each element travels a certain distance carrying a smooth, hollow tube-shaped object to deliver to the teammate who is at a more distant point, waiting to receive it.

The passing of the object turns out to be the most important part of the relay race. This is the basis of the continuity and success of the race as it is the most technical and demanding aspect in terms of coordination and teamwork.

Long Jump

Individual race, the athlete must run on a track of at least 40 meters and ensure that he makes the jump before the 20 cm wide signboard.

When landing on the sand and if the jump is valid (the athlete has not stepped on the board) the distance obtained is measured. The athlete with the greatest distance of the race wins.

High jump

The athlete has to travel in speed at least 20 meters before the jump. After the race, the athlete jumps with the support of a pole, over a horizontal bar that determines the height of the challenge.

Touching the horizontal bar is allowed but if the athlete drops it, is automatically disqualified. The athlete who makes the highest jump without knocking down the horizontal bar, wins.

Throws

This category has 4 modes:

Weight throw;
Javelin thrower;
Discus throw;
Hammer throw;

Throws are made within limited areas – demarcated circles on the ground and, in the case of the javelin, before an equally marked line on the ground.