Heptathlon is a women's competition with multiple events in the Olympic Games. The competition is responsible for testing the endurance and versatility of athletes, as they assume seven different events within a period of time of two days . Athletes in the heptathlon should try to achieve an Olympic qualifying score and should qualify their country's Olympic team.
The heptathlon is an event in the branch of athletics exclusively for women and consists of seven different sports that focus on speed speed, jumping and throwing.
The heptathlon consists of a competition developed specifically for the female athletic sex in which athletes compete in seven different events including: 200-meter and 800-meter races, 100-meter races with hurdles; high and long jump; and weight and javelin throwing.
The main characteristics of the heptathlon are as follows:
The history of the heptathlon comes from the Ancient Age, when an event known as pentahtle took place, which first appeared in Greece in 708 BC. At that time, there were three qualifying events that included jumping, discus throwing, javelin throwing and running and finally, the fight that was mainly used to break the tie.
In its history as a discipline, it began by competing in a female event called Pentalon, which consisted of 5 different events. With time it evolved, and since the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984 was included in the Olympic program as we know it today.
In 1934, the first women’s competition in this athletic discipline took place, and in 1964 it was included in the calendar of the Olympic Games and is replaced by the heptathlon in Los Angeles in 1984. The official competitions began with the Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden in 1912, remained on the Olympic calendar until France in 1924. The test events were, long jump, javelin throw, 200 meters flat, discus throw and 1500 meters flat.
The tests performed in the heptathlon will depend on whether if it is being performed outdoors or indoors, so that:
On the first day the following events are disputed in this order
On the second day
On the first day the following events are disputed in this order:
100 meters fences
The distances covered during heptathlon tests are:
The general rules for heptathlon are:
The training of heptathlon athletes includes personalized training for each of the disciplines that are disputed during both phases. Proper nutrition and training focused on speed and strength are the most indicated to achieve proper athletic development. Training for jumps, distance and speed are fundamental for the development of the athlete, the slips are widely used by trainers as well as the jump training.
There are two important competitions in which heptathlon is practiced:
The equipment will also depend on the discipline being performed. Probably the most important thing is that athletes have the right shoes and clothes for their sporting routine.
Briceño V., Gabriela. (2019). Heptathlon. Recovered on 23 February, 2024, de Euston96: https://www.euston96.com/en/heptathlon/