A decathlon is a sportive contest made up of 10 events. The term decathlon usually refers to an athletic (track and field) event. Normally occurring over two days, the event pushes athletes to their limits.

Day 1:

• 100 m
• long jump
• shot put
• high jump
• 400 m

Day 2:

• 110m hurdles
• discus throw
• pole vault
• javelin throw
• 1500 m

In each event, the athlete scores points according to the marks achieved. In each field event the athletes receive three attempts, in each track event the competitors are divided into heats by personal best. The athlete accumulating the highest number of points wins the competition. Decathlon (and Heptathlon) competitions tend to be more friendly than individual events, with each competitor having different strengths and weaknesses and thus helping each other. It is traditional that all competitors take part in a lap of honour after completing the final event.

The decathlon has been included in the program of the Olympic Games since 1912. It is one of the most highly respected Gold Medals. In international competition, it is only contested by men. Women compete in the heptathlon, a similar contest made up of seven events.

World Records

The decathlon world record is:

Roman �ebrle          9026 pts  G�tzis, AUT     27 May 2001

And the unofficial world record for women:

Marie Collonvill�     8150 pts  Talence, FRA    26 October 2004

External links

• Decathlon points calculator (http://www.sci.fi/~mapyy/decathlon.html)
• Decathlon points formula (http://www.geocities.com/mdetting/sports/decathlon-points-formula.html)

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