FIELD EVENTS
Field events are: long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put,
discus, javelin and hammer throw. The high jump and pole vault are straight
elimination events, while the long jump and triple jump each consist of six
rounds.
There are certain dimensions in each discipline that must be observed in
terms of length of run-up, size of bars and length and weight of equipment.
The approach to the high jump must be at least 20 metres long, and the bar that
the jumpers leap over must weigh no more than 4kg.
The approach in pole vault must be at least 40 metres long and the pole lodges in
a box 1 metres long and 20cm deep. There is no restriction on the weight,
thickness and and length of the pole. The crossbar is lighter than than in
high jump for safety reasons.
The approach in long jump and triple jump must also be at least 40 metres long.
There is a foul line on a 20cm white strip that marks the take-off point
for the athlete. If the toe crosses the plasticine foul-line, the effort is
declared a no-jump. The sand pit lies a metre from the white take-off strip
in long jump, while in triple jump the sand pit is set back 13 metres for men and
11 metres for women.
Javelins differ in size according to the sex of the thrower. The men's
javelin is 2.6 to 2.7 metres long and weighs at least 800g. The women's model
is 2.2m to 2.3m long and must weigh at least 600g.
The three pieces of throwing equipment beyond the javelin are the hammer,
the discus and the shot put. The throwing circle is 7ft in diameter in
hammer and shot but 8ft 2in for discus.
The shot is made of solid iron, brass or a metal not softer than brass and
must weigh up to 16lb for men and 8lbs for women. The discus is mainly
wood with metal plating and weighs up to 4lb 7oz for men and 4lb 4oz for
women.
The men's hammer weighs up to 16lb and the iron ball is 4in in diameter.
For women the weight is 9lb and the diameter is 3in.
There are two rounds in high jump and pole vault. The qualification round
is generally divided into two groups, with the aim to reduce the final to
12 athletes. Those who exceed a fixed qualifying standard, set before
competition begins, proceed directly from qualifying round to final. If
fewer than 12 make it, the numbers are made up from the best of the rest.
In triple jump, the athlete must land on the same foot used for the
take-off, then take a stride to the other foot before jumping into the sand
pit. The distance jumped is measured from the far edge of the take-off
board to the
jumper's closest mark in the sand and is rounded down to the nearest
centimetre.
In field events with elimination rounds, the time limit allowed between
preparation and action is between one and two minutes. A judge may penalise an
athlete for "unreasonable" delay.
ROAD EVENTS
The road events are: 20 kilometres and 50 kilometres walks (the longer distance only for men)
and the marathon. There is no 10 kilometres for women this time as there was in
1996, the introduction of 20 kilometres for women bringing them in line with the men.
At the start of each race, athletes take up a place at random. The race
starts when the starter's gun is fired or claxon sounded. If necessary, an
athlete may leave the course of the race with permission from, and
accompanied by, an official.
Refreshment stations are located at 5 kilometre intervals along the route, with
drink and sponge stations at the halfway stage in between each refreshment
station.
COMBINED EVENTS
Both the decathon and heptathlon take two days to complete. Athletes are
awarded points from an international table set from the world record and
operating according to each athlete's finish in each event, rewarding
consistently good finishes. The heptathlon consists of, in correct running
order: 100 metres hurdles, high jump and shot-put on day one; 200 metres, long jump,
javelin and 800 metres on day two. The decathlon consists of, in correct running
order: 100 metres, long jump, shot-put, high jump and 400 metres on day one; 110 metres
hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500 metres on day two.
