Athletics Heptathlon | |
---|---|
World records | |
Men | Ashton Eaton 6645 pts (2012) |
Women | Jackie Joyner-Kersee 7291 pts (1988) |
Olympic records | |
Women | Jackie Joyner-Kersee 7291 pts (1988) |
World Championship records | |
Women | Jackie Joyner-Kersee 7128 pts (1987) |
World Indoor Championship records | |
Men | Ashton Eaton 6645 pts (2012) |
A heptathlon is a track and field combined events contest made up of seven events.[1] The name derives from the Greek ἑπτά (hepta, meaning "seven") and ἄθλος (áthlos, or ἄθλον, áthlon, meaning "competition"). A competitor in a heptathlon is referred to as a heptathlete.
There are two heptathlons – the men's and the women's heptathlon – composed of different events. The men's heptathlon is older and is currently held indoors, contested at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics. The women's heptathlon is held outdoors and was introduced in the 1980s, first appearing in the Olympics in 1984. It is currently contested in the athletics programme of the Olympics and at the World Athletics Championships.