Athletics is a group of sporting events and is one of the oldest forms of organized sport. This amazing sporting event comprises various competitive games such as running, jumping, throwing, and walking. In the country, athletics is referred to as track and field events. The global governing body of this sport is the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Athletic games are integral to various sports cultures and have gained prominence worldwide.

Competitions
The Olympics is the most prominent international competition for track and field events. Furthermore, the World Athletics Championship is usually held every two years, while the NCAA Outdoor Championship for student-athletes is conducted annually in the country. There are several other competitions where athletics is played as a major sport.

Athletic events
Most types of athletics are usually individual sporting events excluding relay races and some competitions that combine individual performances for a team score. Check out a few common and popular athletic sporting events below.

Track events
These are one of the most common sports played worldwide. Track events are conducted on a track and do not require expensive athletic equipment. They are classified into three segments- running events on a track over a specified distance, events with obstacles placed on the track, and relay races. The running events in athletics include-

• Sprints
  Sprints are short-distance races where athletes run at great speed, focusing on covering the distance in the shortest time possible. Athletic games in the Olympics and Outdoor World Championships include three sprinting events – 100m, 200m, and 400m. The Indoor World Championship has a sprint running event – the 60-meter dash.

• Middle distance
  Athletes of middle-distance track events cover 800m in two laps, each of 400m. The most prestigious middle distance running event is 1500m, where runners complete three and three-quarters of a 400m track.

• Long distance
  The common long-distance track events are 3000m, 5000m, and 10,000m. Long-distance running is also referred to as endurance running.

• Relay races
  Relay races are team events where there are four athletes on each team. Each racer runs specific distances and hands over a baton to the next runner from the team. 4 x 100 m and 4 x 400 m relays are the common categories.

• Hurdling
  Hurdling is racing with obstacles. Some popular hurdle events are 100m for women, 110 m for men, and 400 m for both genders.

Field events
Field events are conducted on a large field as opposed to track events. Different types of field events are listed below.

Jumping events

• Long jump
  Athletes take a run-up, jump over a wooden board, and land in a sandpit. The distance from the edge of the board to the first mark made by the contestant on the sand is measured or counted.
• Triple jump
  In a triple jump event, the athlete must hop, step, and jump before landing in the sand pit.
• High jump
  In this field event, athletes take a run-up and jump over a horizontal bar, falling onto a cushioned landing area. The altitude of the bar is considered for recording the height jumped by the sportsperson.
• Pole vault
  Athletes run carrying an extremely long flexible pole and then vault over a horizontal bar with its help to fall backward onto a landing area.

Throwing events

• Shot put
  In this event, athletes must throw a heavy steel ball inside a marked area to the maximum possible distance.
• Discus throw
  Athletes take a series of spins to throw the discus from within a 2.5m diameter circle, which has to land inside a marked area.
• Javelin throw
  The athletic equipment used in the javelin throw is a long spear with a sharp tip, and players run and throw the spear to the farthest distance possible.
• Hammer throw
  Players throw a metal ball attached to a grip through a steel wire. After making a series of spins from inside a circle, the contestants throw the ball into the area inside a marked region.

Road running
Road running events are conducted on open-wide roads. The major types are half-marathon and marathons.

Racewalking
Racewalking is a long-distance race event and is also conducted on open roads. These include 10km, 20 km, and 50 km walks.

Combined events
In this type, athletes contest in several different track and field events. Some of them are-

• Pentathlon – The event consists of five different track and field events.
• Heptathlon – It consists of a series of seven track and field events held over two days.
• Decathlon – Series of ten track and field events conducted over two days.

To help an aspirant prepare for their athletic journey, many athletic coaching centers in the country provide training at all levels, from beginners to competitive athletes. One can also visit the national athletics federation’s website to learn about local athletics clubs and registered coaches who train athletes.