One of the most established and popular sports associated with the Olympic and Paralympic Games, track and field athletics combines sprinting and distance running, throwing and jumping events and is one of the most exciting sporting events to watch.

Athletics is the starting point of many different sports and shares a lot of the same techniques. If you throw the hammer, it’s like the swing in golf. If you do the hurdles, it’s like kicking a football. If you do the triple jump, it’s like going for a slam dunk in basketball!

Did you know...?

“Diskos” was a Greek word meaning 'thing for throwing'. Metal or stone discoi were used for what became a standard event at the ancient Olympics.

Dick Fosbury is credited with the invention of the popular modern day technique for the high jump. He used his “Fosbury flop” to win the 1968 Olympic gold medal and set an Olympic record of 2.24m, taking advantage of the then new landing mats to land on his back.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica was the shining star of 10 days of Athletics competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.  Bolt arrived at the Games having lowered the 100m world record to 9.72 in May.  He did not disappoint, winning both the 100m and 200m in astonishing world record runs of 9.69 and 19.30