Octathlon
Encyclopedia
An octathlon is a multisport
competition consisting of eight different sports or contests.
events. The most common version of the combined event is contested by boys at youth level, most notably at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Athletics
. The events within the youth octathlon are: the 100 metres
, long jump
, 110 metres hurdles
, high jump
, 400 metres
, shot put
, javelin throw
, and finally the 1000 metres.
Although this is primarily a youth or junior event, logistical problems have seen senior octathlons contested, for example at the 2007 South Pacific Games.
From time to time octathlons only have seven events, in which case it is sometimes referred to as an "octathalon". This is best exemplified by the New Jersey version, though this may have began somewhere in Delaware County in Pennsylvania. The seven event "octathalon" typically features a range of events that challenge a wide range of skill sets. Events such as 12-hole golf, bowling, flip cup, horseshoes, beer pong, cornhole, three-point shootout are common, though a case race, bocce ball, and even a 400 meter dash have been used before.
Multisport
Multisport is a family of athletic competitions in which athletes race in a continuous series of stages or "legs", and rapidly switch from one athletic discipline to another in order to achieve the best overall time...
competition consisting of eight different sports or contests.
Track and field
An octathlon in athletics is an event which consists of eight track and fieldTrack and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
events. The most common version of the combined event is contested by boys at youth level, most notably at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Athletics
IAAF World Youth Championships in Athletics
The IAAF World Youth Championships in Athletics is a global athletics event comprising track and field events for competitors who are 17 or younger . The event is organized by International Association of Athletics Federations . It is held biannually...
. The events within the youth octathlon are: the 100 metres
100 metres
The 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896...
, long jump
Long jump
The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength, and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point...
, 110 metres hurdles
110 metres hurdles
The 110 metres hurdles is a hurdling track and field event for men. It is incuded in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympic Games. The female counterpart is the 100 metre hurdles. As part of a racing event, ten hurdles of 1.067 metres in height are evenly spaced along a straight...
, high jump
High jump
The high jump is a track and field athletics event in which competitors must jump over a horizontal bar placed at measured heights without the aid of certain devices in its modern most practiced format; auxiliary weights and mounds have been used for assistance; rules have changed over the years....
, 400 metres
400 metres
The 400 metres, or 400 metre dash, is a common sprinting event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 . On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and...
, shot put
Shot put
The shot put is a track and field event involving "putting" a heavy metal ball—the shot—as far as possible. It is common to use the term "shot put" to refer to both the shot itself and to the putting action....
, javelin throw
Javelin throw
The javelin throw is a track and field athletics throwing event where the object to be thrown is the javelin, a spear approximately 2.5 metres in length. Javelin is an event of both the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon...
, and finally the 1000 metres.
Although this is primarily a youth or junior event, logistical problems have seen senior octathlons contested, for example at the 2007 South Pacific Games.
From time to time octathlons only have seven events, in which case it is sometimes referred to as an "octathalon". This is best exemplified by the New Jersey version, though this may have began somewhere in Delaware County in Pennsylvania. The seven event "octathalon" typically features a range of events that challenge a wide range of skill sets. Events such as 12-hole golf, bowling, flip cup, horseshoes, beer pong, cornhole, three-point shootout are common, though a case race, bocce ball, and even a 400 meter dash have been used before.