The events that are held in the decathlon competition are considered to be some of the most grueling in the world of sports, and the individual who is crowned king in this form is referred to as the ‘World’s Greatest Athlete’.
Decathlon comprise ten track and field events that test the strength and stamina of the participating athletes. These ten events are divided over a period of two consecutive days of intense competition. Decathlon is widely regarded as the pinnacle of endurance sports, and sees athletes from all over the world participate in this Olympic sport. There is a points system for each event, and the athlete who has the most number of points after the completion of all the ten events is declared the winner. The events are not only a test of a person’s physical attributes’ but also his/her mental make up and attitude.
The name decathlon comes from the Greek words meaning ‘ten’ and ‘contest’. It translates into having ten events in this contest. They are all track and field events that test the speed, agility, and stamina of an athlete. On the first day, there are five events held, and on the second day, the remaining five are completed. Participants are required to take part in all the ten events, so as to gain maximum points.
The rules require that there is at least 30 minutes gap between each event. To conduct a decathlon event, a minimum of three athletes are required. If there are less, the event does not have any recognition. Athletes who are in top physical and mental condition qualify for this event, and most dream of winning the Olympic gold, which is the premier competition for this sport. It is considered to be the Super Bowl of decathlon.
Events in Decathlon
- 100 m Race
- 400 m Race
- 1500 m Race
- 110 m Hurdles
- Long Jump
- High Jump
- Shot Put
- Discus Throw
- Javelin Throw
- Pole Vault
Order of Events
Men’s Decathlon
DAY 1
100 m Race
Long Jump
Shot Put
High Jump
400 m Race
DAY 2
110 m Hurdles
Discus Throw
Pole Vault
Javelin Throw
1500 m Race
Women’s Decathlon
DAY 1
100 m Race
Discus Throw
Pole Vault
Javelin Throw
400 m Race
DAY 2
100 m Hurdles
Long Jump
Shot Put
High Jump
1500 m Race
Athletes score points in each event as decided by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). The maximum points that can be scored in any event is 1,000 points, which means, there are 10,000 points up for grabs after the completion of the 10 events. Currently, Ashton Eaton of the US holds the world record at 9,039 points. As per the rules, points scored by individuals in each event and their total score has to be announced after the successful completion of every event.
Decathlon events have gained in popularity since their inclusion in modern-day Olympics. It is considered to be a highly prestigious competition, given the overall strength and skill that participants are required to possess.