Decathlon
Ten-event test of versatility, crowned 'World's Greatest Athlete'.
The decathlon is a combined event in athletics consisting of 10 track and field events, contested mainly by male athletes. The word was formed in analogy to 'pentathlon', from Greek δέκα (déka 'ten') and ἆθλον (áthlon 'contest, prize'). Events are held over two consecutive days, and winners are determined by a points system based on performance in each event.
Lore & Background
The decathlon developed from the ancient pentathlon competitions held at the ancient Greek Olympics, which involved five disciplines: long jump, discus throw, javelin throw, sprint, and wrestling.
Reader's Guide
The decathlon represents the pinnacle of combined-event athletics, demanding versatility across sprints, jumps, throws, and distance running. Its points system, revised by the IAAF in 2001, uses formulae that reward faster times and greater distances or heights. The event's historical roots in the ancient pentathlon and its evolution through the all-around competitions of the late 19th century underscore its enduring appeal. Masters athletics uses age-graded scoring, allowing older athletes to achieve high point totals.
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