Latest TRACK AND FIELD News

Latest TRACK AND FIELD News

More TRACK AND FIELD News

Letsile Tebogo Drops Strong Request to Track Community After 200m Prefontaine Win

After getting the reign back at the Prefontaine Classic, Letsile Tebogo dropped a request for the track and field community.
Diamond League – Monaco

Who Is Niels Laros? Dutch Track & Field Star Defeating Americans at Prefontaine Classic

Dutch sensation Niels Laros stuns at the Prefontaine Classic, outpacing top Americans—how did this young star rise so fast?
Niels Laros

Christian Coleman Loses Ground to Jamaicans as Prefontaine Performance Raises Red Flags

In the 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic, Christian Coleman failed to stand tall in the war of speeds and fate.
Christian Coleman

Kishane Thompson Destroys Coleman on Prefontaine Soil, Sends Noah Lyles a Warning

Kishane Thompson stuns Eugene with a win over Christian Coleman, sending a powerful message to his rivals ahead of future showdowns.
Kishane Thompson

Hunter Woodhall Hit by Snub and Setback at Prefontaine Classic 2025

At the Prefontaine Classic, Paralympic champion Hunter Woodhall expressed optimism! However, his own race bore the brunt!
Copy of NR Team FIs – 2

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Sends Strong Message to Longtime Rival Dalilah Muhammad in Her Final Season

Sha'Carri Richardson views the extended 2025 season as a "blessing in disguise," providing ample time to prepare for the Championships
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Dalilah Muhammad

US Track and Field Star Issues Emotional Message Weeks After Taking Break From Mental Health Struggles

US track star, after revealing her struggle with depression, shared a powerful post, drawing parallel between her resilience and defiant weed.
Track & Field: NCAA, College League, USA Track Championships Jun 8, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; Juliette Whittaker of Stanfor

Letsile Tebogo Issues Cryptic Message Hours Before Competing in Prefontaine Classic

Letsile Tebogo,set to make his highly anticipated return at the Prefontaine Classic after a six-week injury layoff, shoots a cryptic message
Letsile Tebogo Twitter

Prefontaine Classic Hit by Triple Withdrawal as 2x Olympic Medalist Joins Kenny Bednarek and Quincy Hall

The 50th Prefontaine Classic, set for July 5, 2025, at Hayward Field, has been hit by another blow after several high-profile withdrawals.
Kenny and Quincy Hall

Humbling Gabby Thomas, Melissa Jefferson Sets Sights on Sha’Carri Richardson’s Throne

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden eyes redemption at the Prefontaine Classic, aiming to challenge Sha’Carri Richardson for sprint supremacy. Here's how
Sha’Carri Richardson, Melissa Jefferson and Gabby Thomas

Track and Field Community Left Distraught After 2X Olympian Makes Tragic Admission

This former europen champion and two-times Olympian has made an annoucnemnet that leaves nothing but tears for track and field community.
track and field

Kenny Bednarek Announces Heartbreaking Update Before Letsile Tebogo Clash Following Major Blow

Kenny Bednarek pulls out of his clash with Letsile Tebogo at the Prefontaine Classic, delivering a heartbreaking update to fans.
Grand Slam Track Philadelphia 2025 – Day One

Julien Alfred Reveals Love-Hate Relationship with Track Ahead of Major Race

Julien Alfred opens up about her bond with Hayward Field, and she also reveals the reason behind these growing complexities...
Athletics – Women’s 200m Semi-Final 1

Hunter Woodhall Reveals Tara Davis-Woodhall’s Alarmed Reaction Amidst Health Scare: “Thought I Was Dying”

Earlier this year, Hunder Woodhall had a health emergency while he was away from his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall. What was her reaction?
Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall

Kenny Bednarek Announces Heartbreaking Update Before Letsile Tebogo Clash Following Major Blow

Kenny Bednarek pulls out of his clash with Letsile Tebogo at the Prefontaine Classic, delivering a heartbreaking update to fans.
Grand Slam Track Philadelphia 2025 – Day One

Julien Alfred Reveals Love-Hate Relationship with Track Ahead of Major Race

Julien Alfred opens up about her bond with Hayward Field, and she also reveals the reason behind these growing complexities...
Athletics – Women’s 200m Semi-Final 1

Hunter Woodhall Reveals Tara Davis-Woodhall’s Alarmed Reaction Amidst Health Scare: “Thought I Was Dying”

Earlier this year, Hunder Woodhall had a health emergency while he was away from his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall. What was her reaction?
Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Shares Honest Message on Future Goals with World Championships in Sight

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has not minced her words when sharing her plans about the upcoming World Championships. Here's what she says...
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Tara Davis-Woodhall Makes Feelings Clear on Track and Field After Financial Success

Tara Davis-Woodhall financial situations have changed after the 2024 Paris Olympics gold. How does she feel now?
2023 World Athletics Championships Budapest Tara Davis-Woodhall (USA), Long Jump Women, during the 2023 World Athletics

Sha’Carri Richardson Sends Strong Message to Rivals with Major World Championship Claim

Ahead of her Prefontaine performance, Sha’Carri Richardson has a message for everyone who had been doubting her season so far...
Athletics – Women’s 100m Final

Quincy Hall Drops Heartbreaking Update After Major Decision Forced by Fresh Setback

After a historic Olympic run, Quincy Hall has a saddening news for his fans. What is Quincy's new life update?
Athletics – Men’s 400m Final

Tara Davis-Woodhall Issues Health Update After Mysterious Absences Before Prefontaine Classic

After a reduced competition schedule in 2025, Olympic gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall is set to return to a major event at Eugene.
2023 World Athletics Championships Budapest Tara Davis-Woodhall (USA), Long Jump Women, during the 2023 World Athletics

Mondo Duplantis Receives Important Reminder Ahead of 2025 Prefontaine Classic

While attending the press conference before the Prefontaine Classic, Mondo Duplantis got to know something amazing about his family.
Athletics – Men’s Pole Vault Final

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Makes Bold Call on Different Career Path Than Rivals

Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone attributes her sustained success to a gradual development, including a year at the University.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Justin Gatlin’s Judgement for Fred Kerley Left Him Wondering as He Makes Shocking Confession

Track legend Justin Gatlin recounted being surprised by Fred Kerley's speed in a 2021 100m race, where Kerley, a 400m specialist, defeated him
fred kerley

Almost Saving Family Drama, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Makes an Important Confession

While revealing about her track career, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone brings in familiar names, maintaining a politically correct answer.
Copy of NR Team FIs – 2

About TRACK AND FIELD

Speed. Technique. Thrill. Track and Field is a sport that incorporates all this and more. Races so electrifying that they bring the house down, speeds so blazing that you might miss them in the blink of an eye, and rivalries so intense that there is a constant tussle for dominance. Well, the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympics provided a hearty dose of track action. And now, the ongoing Diamond League circuit is ensuring that track fans continue to be on the edge of their seats. But, do you know what the initial days of this fascinating sport looked like?

Track and Field: History and evolution of the sport

On the marks, set, go. If only the evolution of track and field were so easy. Instead, it was something that gradually happened over years of evolution.

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Ancient- One of the oldest sports to have existed, the cornerstone of track and field was laid by the Greeks, where men would exhibit their athletic talents as part of celebratory events. Initially limited to foot races, stadion and diaulos were the competitions that comprised the crux of the sport, which has been around since the first Olympics in Ancient Greece, dating back to 776 B.C. Although the Romans continued the games till 394 A.D., when it was banned, the sport saw a resurgence after the decline of the Roman empire. Tracing back to the 16th and 17th centuries, foot races had become a regular sight in Europe.

Modern- The 1860s predominantly saw the wave of transformation, wherein the first championships featuring amateur men were held in England. Athletic clubs and organizations sprung up across Europe and the United States, with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) coming into being in 1887.

Olympic age- 1896, was when the first Modern Olympic Games were flagged off in Athens, which included track and field in the sports that debuted.

20th century- With athletes flocking from across the world to exhibit their athletic talent, track and field's stature elevated substantially. Technical developments fostered improvements in training and diet, and the track saw the likes of legends like Jesse Owens, Usain Bolt, Flo-Jo, etc coming out at the top.

What are the major events in track and field?

Track and field is a sport that covers a plethora of events under its banner. Speaking of the Olympics in particular, it features 48 events, 24 men's events and 24 women's. Care to know what they are?

Track DisciplineEvents
Sprint100m, 200m, 400m
Middle-distance/Long-distance800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m, 3000m steeplechase
Hurdles100m hurdles, 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles
Road RunningHalf marathon, marathon
Race Walks20k race walk, 35k race walk
Relays4x100 relay, 4x400 relay, 4x400 relay mixed
Field DisciplineEvents
JumpsHigh jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump
ThrowsShot put, discus throw, hammer throw, javelin throw
Combined EventsHeptathlon, Decathlon
Cross Country
Mountain Running
Ultra Running
Trail Running

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What are the rules and regulations of track and field in major competitions like the Olympics?

Sprinting Rules

  • Most of the sprinting events from 100m to 5000m conduct qualifying rounds before the finals. Usually heats, semifinals, and then the finals. The top three on the finals scoreboard take home gold, silver, and bronze.
  • Sprints, hurdles, and relay races feature starting blocks, followed by the firing of a pistol to commence the race. If a runner starts before the fire, it's called a 'false start.' This will lead to disqualification.
  • 100m sprints and 110m/100m hurdles comprise starts where racers are all in one line. Whereas, in the 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles, 4x100m relay, and 400m relay categories, they are placed in staggered positions.
  • Running outside the allocated lanes would also lead to disqualification. If an athlete is forced to cross the lane by another one so that there is no material advantage, they will not be disqualified. The same for a person who strays out or crosses the line, and in doing so, they do not get an advantage, there will be no disqualification.
  • The athlete whose torso crosses the vertical finish line plane will be declared the winner.
Relay Rules
  • For any of the relays, baton handover must not happen beyond the 20m changeover box. If yes, then this would amount to disqualification.
  • The baton should not fall or touch the ground in any way.
Middle Distance Rules
  • There are no starting blocks in these races. Also, athletes line up in an upright position. In 800m, the 8 runners will stand in staggered positions before the start. Through the first turn, they have to stay in their respective lanes, but can then break to the inside. If done very early, then can lead to disqualification.
  • 1500m and the steeplechase have group starts, and no fixed lanes are allocated.
  • In steeplechase, if an athlete steps aside during a barrier, they will be disqualified. They can jump above them in any way, but no part of the foot or leg should be below the horizontal plane of the upper bar while they are attempting to clear it.
Long Distance Rules
  • The 10,000m, marathon, race walk, decathlon, and heptathlon are events that directly conduct finals with no qualifying rounds.
  • The starts happen in an upright position and involve no touching of the ground.
  • Usually, these feature mass starts. However given the possibility that there are more than 12 runners in the race, they are divided into staggered groups. The first one will have 65 percent of the athletes that usually appear on a start line.
  • There are no lane assignments. Track athletes can break for positions right after the commencement.
Race Walking Rules
  • The walker must be in contact with the ground continuously. Even the advancing leg should be straight from the instance when it comes in contact with the ground till it goes into the upright position.
  • There are anything between six and nine judges in the event. And they are free to issue warnings upon violations like leg contact or perhaps a bent knee.
  • If participating athletes get warnings from 3 different judges, they get disqualified. Also, if an official medical officer asks them to retire from the race, the competitors must leave.
Jumping Rules
  • High jump- The jump-off must happen from one foot. And given that the athlete makes contact with the crossbar and falls off the supports, it will be counted as a failed attempt. Also, athletes will be given 3 attempts for a particular height. The option to pass a certain height and try for the next is also available. But, if there are 2 failed attempts at a single height, and the athlete skips that to move on to the next, the next should be cleared on the first try.
  • Pole Vault- Participants can use a substance either on their hands or the pole to facilitate a better grip. But, tape on fingers or hands is prohibited, unless there is an open wound. Athletes are also allowed to use their poles, of any material, length, or diameter. If they break, the participants still get another go at it. However, there are three criteria for disqualification. First is when the vaulter makes the crossbar fall by touch. Second is when they move their lower hand above their upper one or their upper hand higher on the pole after leaving the ground. And third, if they steady or replace the bar while conducting the vault.
  • Long Jump- The measurement for the jumps is calculated from the takeoff line to the closest break in the landing area, done by any part of the participant's body. Failed attempts happen on exceeding the takeoff line while jumping, or on taking off from outside either end of the take-off board. Or perhaps touching the ground outside the landing area closer to the take-off line, in comparison to the nearest break in the sand.
  • Triple Jump- There are three stages of a triple jump- a hop, a step, and a jump, all done in the said sequence. Hope and jump have to be made from the same foot used for take-off, while the step involves the other. Failed attempts have identical criteria to the long jump. However, there is one exception, and that is when an athlete makes contact with the ground with their sleeping leg during a jump, it isn't considered a failure.
Decathlon and Heptathlon Rules-
  • The decathlon and heptathlon events are conducted over two consecutive days.
  • In both these events, 3 attempts in the long jump, shot put, discus, and javelin throw are allowed. And a single false start in track events is allowed.
Throwing Rules-
  • Shot, discuss, and hammer throw are all done from within the demarcated throwing circles. While the javelin throw features a runway. Crossing either while a throwing attempt is made will count as a failed attempt.
  • Also, the athletes must not exit and stay in the throwing area until the javelin or the respective implement touches the ground. And for it to be considered a valid throw, they should land within the landing zone.
  • Gloves are only permitted in hammer throw, while any sort of tape is not allowed unless there is an open wound on the hands or the fingers.
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What are the major track and field championships?

Some of the pivotal athletic competitions include-

  • The Athletics World Championships (Once every 2 years)
  • Olympic Games (Once every 4 years)
  • Commonwealth Games (Once every 4 years)
  • World Indoor Championships (Once every 2 years)
  • World Diamond League Meetings (Every year)
  • World Athletics Relays (Biennial)
  • Marathon Majors (Every year)
  • World Athletics Cross Country Championships (Biennial)
  • New York Marathon (Every year)

Who are the greatest track and field stars of all time?

Here are some of the most decorated track and field athletes of all time:

NameCountryEventOlympic medalsPersonal best
Paavo NurmiFinlandMiddle and Long Distance Runner 12 medals- 9G, 3S10000m - 30:06.2h

3000m - 8:20.4h

5000m- 14:28.2h

Carl LewisUnited States

 

100m,200m, Long Jump, 4x100m relay10 medals- 9G, 1SLong Jump- 8.87

100m- 9.86

200m- 19.75

Usain BoltJamaica100m, 200m, 4x100m relay8 medals- 8G100m- 9.58 (WR, AR)

200m- 19.19 (WR, AR)

Jesse OwensUnited States100m, 200m, Long Jump, 4x100m relay4 medals- 4G100m- 10.2h

200m- 20.7h

4x100m relay- 39.8h

Long Jump- 8.13

Allyson FelixUnited States200m, 4x400m relay, 4x100m relay, 400m11 medals- 7G, 3S, 1B200m- 21.69

400m- 49.26

4x100m relay- 40.82

4x400m relay- 31.16.85

Florence Griffith JoynerUnited States100m, 200, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay5 medals- 3G, 2S100m- 10.49

200m- 21.34

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Jackie Joyner-KerseeUnited StatesHeptathlon, Long Jump6 medals- 3G, 1S, 2BHeptathlon- 1331

Long Jump- 7.49

Bob BeamonUnited StatesLong Jump1 medal- 1GLong Jump- 8.90
Javie SotomayorCubaHigh Jump2 medals- 1G, 1SHigh Jump- 2.45 (WR)
Jan ZeleznyCzechiaJavelin Throw4 medals- 3G, 1SJavelin Throw- 98.48 (WR)
 

Haile Gebrselassie

EthiopiaLong Distance Runner2 medals- 2G10000m- 26:22.75

5000m- 12:39.36

AI OerterUnited StatesDiscus Throw4 medals- 4GDiscus Throw- 69.46
Sergey BubkaUkrainePole Vault1 medal- 1GPole Vault- 6.15