ATHLETICS (TRACK AND FIELD)

Athletics is a traditional olympic sport. It is also called “Track and field athletics” and it has many different events. They are divided in:

a) Running and racewalking events: These include all races from sprints to the Marathon. (Steeplechase and hurdle races too).

b) Throwing Events: Javelin, Shotput, Hammer and Discus are the four throwing events.

c) Jumping Events: Long Jump. Triple Jump, High Jump and Pole Vault are the four types of jumps.

d) Multipe Event Competitions: These include the heptatlon for women and the decathlon for men. Where can you practise athletics? That´s the good thing about athletics: Anywhere!

You can find:

a) Urban races: they are also called “carreras populares” in Spanish. They are usually to promote athletics, so everybody can participate. In Spain, the most popular ones are the “San Silvestre” races, held the 31st of December in many cities.

b) Cross country races: usually middle or long distance races. They are held in fields, parks or the countryside. Cross country courses include hills and mud. The cross country season takes place in winter, from November to February.

c) Mountain races: these take place in the mountain, and are very tough. You can find half marathons and alpine marathons!!

d) Indoor track competitions: for the winter season. It is only 200m long, so not all the events are held. 

e) Outdoor track competitions: For the summer season, this is the Olympic Track. It is 400m long. In this lesson we are going to study the events that take place in this track.