ATHLETICS

Track and field Athletics originated in Greece about the 9th century B.C. with the running, jumping and throwing events of the Ancient Olympic Games. These events were revived in the English universities in the mid-19th century. The Amateur Article Association was formed in 1880. The revival of the Olympic games

in 1896 awakened worldwide interest in the sport.

Track events are running races on the flat, or over obstacles, over recognized distances from 100 yards to 6 miles or more. World records are measured in both yards and meters (100 meters= 1109yards 1 foot, 1 inch). Field events normally include the high jump, shot-put, the discus, hammer and javelin throws.

Races up to and including 400 meters (or 440 yards) are run in lanes to allow a separate course for each competitor. Starting blocks are permitted for sprint races. Races start with warning commands, and then a pistol shot. A competitor may be disqualified for deliberately impeding another's progress.

The finish is a line drawn across the track at right angles to the inner edge, and a runner is placed according to when his chest reaches the line.

High jumpers and pole vaulters attempt to clear a cross-bar set at a starting height decided by the judges or laid down by the organizers. Three consecutive failures mean disqualification. For each succeeding round the height of the bar is raised. For the vault, a pole or any material, length or diameter may be used. Just before take-off its base is 'planted' in a specially provided box.

The long jumper is allowed an unlimited run-up, but must take-off from a white wooden take-off board, 4 feet long, into a landing area. Each jump is measured from a scratch line made at the end of the board to the nearest break made in the sand of the landing area. The triple jump consists of a hop, a step, and then a long jump.

The Marathon is a road race of exactly 26 miles 385 yards and usually commences and finishes at a stadium. The Decathlon comprises ten events in the following order: 100 meters, long jump, shot-put, high jump, 400 meters, 110 meters hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, 1500 meters.

The shot and hammer, and discus are thrown from a special circle, 7 feet in diameter for the shot and hammer, 8 feet 2 one quarter inches for the discus. The shot is a solid iron (or other metal) ball weighing 16 pounds minimum (7,257 kilograms). The discus is made of wood or plastic, with a smooth metal rim, its minimum weight being 4 pounds, 6 and half ounces (2 kilograms), diameter 8 5/8 inches. The hammer is a metal sphere attached to a length of spring steel wire, its complete minimum weight being 16 pounds.

The time of 10 seconds for 100 yards was the first bettered on October 11, 1890 by John Owen in the U.S.A Championships at Washington, but in 1969 the world record stood at 9.1seconds. The first high jump of over 6 feet was made on March 17, 1876 by Marshall James Brooks at Marston, near Oxford, England. The record in 1969 was 7 feet 5(3/4). Dr. Roger Bannister, C.B.E., of England, was first to run one mile in under 4 minutes. His time on May 6, 1954 at Iffley Road, Oxford, was 3 minutes 59 seconds.

America has produced most of the world's outstanding athletes. Among them is Jesse Owens who won Gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters, the long jump and the 4*100 meters relay at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.