Decathlon

This article is about the track and field event. For other uses, see Decathlon (disambiguation).

Athletics
Decathlon
Decathlon combines four runs, three jumps, and three throws.
World records
MenFrance Kevin Mayer 9126 pts (2018)
Olympic records
MenCanada Damian Warner 9018 pts (2021)
World Championship records
MenUnited States Ashton Eaton 9045 pts (2015)

The decathlon is a combined event in athletics consisting of 10 track and field events. The word "decathlon" was formed, in analogy to the word "pentathlon", from Greek δέκα (déka, meaning "ten") and ἄθλος (áthlos, or ἄθλον, áthlon, meaning "contest" or "prize"). Events are held over two consecutive days and the winners are determined by the combined performance in all. Performance is judged on a points system in each event, not by the position achieved.[1] The decathlon is contested mainly by male athletes, while female athletes typically compete in the heptathlon.

Traditionally, the title of "World's Greatest Athlete" has been given to the person who wins the decathlon. This began when Gustav V of Sweden told Jim Thorpe, "Sir, you are the world's greatest athlete" after Thorpe won the decathlon at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912.[2]

The event is similar to the pentathlon held at the ancient Greek Olympics,[3] and also similar to a competition called an "all-around", which was contested at the United States amateur championships in 1884.[4][5] Another all-around was held at the 1904 Summer Olympics.[6] The modern decathlon first appeared at the 1912 Games.[7]

In modern athletics, the 10 events are: 100 metres, 400 metres, 1500 metres, 110 metre hurdles, long jump, high jump, pole vault, discus throw, javelin throw, and shotput. The current official decathlon world record holder is French athlete Kevin Mayer, who scored a total of 9,126 points at the 2018 Décastar in France.

  1. ^ "Decathlon". Encarta. 2008. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  2. ^ Flatter, Ron. "Thorpe preceded Deion, Bo". espn.com. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  3. ^ Waldo E. Sweet, Erich Segal (1987). Sport and recreation in ancient Greece. Oxford University Press. (p37). Retrieved on 7 May 2011.
  4. ^ "USA Outdoor Track & Field Champions: Men's All-Around". USA Track & Field. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  5. ^ Zarnowski, Frank (2005). All-around Men: Heroes of a Forgotten Sport. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-5423-9.
  6. ^ "Athletics at the 1904 St. Louis Summer Games: Men's All-Around Championship". Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  7. ^ "Athletics at the 1912 Stockholm Summer Games: Men's Decathlon". Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2015.