Jumping is a competition to see who can jump the highest and the fastest. In some events, athletes use poles to help them jump through the air. In other events, jumpers step and hop. There are four jumping events in all.
High Jump
High jumpers try to jump over a bar that is held up in the air by two stands. They cannot knock down the bar when they jump. The athletes land on a big mat that keeps them from getting hurt. In each round, the bar is lifted a little higher, making it harder and harder to jump over. Athletes are eliminated as the bar gets higher. In the end, the athlete that can jump the highest wins. Most jumpers use a jumping method called the Fosbury Flop. This Flop helps them fly through the air on their backside.
Pole Vault
The pole vault is similar to the high jump except that jumpers use a pole to help them jump and fly through the air. The athletes dig the poles in the ground and take flight! In each round, the bar is lifted a little higher, making it harder and harder to jump over. In the end, the athlete that can jump the highest wins.
This year the women's pole vault is being introduced for the first time.
Long Jump and Triple Jump
In the long jump and triple jump, athletes run and then jump as far as possible landing in a pit of sand. There is a board on the ground showing them where they need to begin their jump. The athlete that goes the farthest wins.
The triple jump is similar except that the athletes hop and step before jumping.
Running events in the Olympics usually take place on an indoor track. In fact, the only running events that take place outdoors are the marathon and the walking events.
For the indoor track events, athletes run in lanes around an oval track. The race begins when the starter calls out, "On your mark, get set É" and then shoots a gun in the air for "go." The runner who reaches the finish line first is the winner.
There are shorter running events, called "sprints", and longer distance runs. Runners who do the sprints need to be very strong. The most important skill for runners who do the long distance races is endurance.
Marathon
There are two running events which take place outdoors: The marathon and the walking event. The walk is for women only and it is 20-kilometres long. The marathon is the longest race in the Olympics. Because it is so long, the runners are allowed to drink water as they run. The runner who reaches the finish line first is the winner.
Hurdling
Hurdling is an activity that combines running and jumping. Athletes run on the track and jump over hurdles. These hurdles look like small gates. After the runners have jumped over all the hurdles, they need to run to the finish line. The first person there wins.
The Relay Race
The relay race is a team race. Each team has four runners, who run with a "baton", which is a small, metal stick. Athletes run their part of the race and then pass the baton onto the next runner. Each time the baton is passed, it is called a "change".
Ones to Watch: There will be a whole slew of exciting showdowns at the athletics events this summer. Keep your eye on U.S. sprinter Michael Johnson, who shattered a world record at the last Olympics. Also watch U.S. track star Marion Jones, who is aiming for a record five gold medals this year.
In the 100-meter final, Canada's Olympic champion Donovan Bailey is competing against the U.S.'s Maurice Greene, the current world record holder, and Trinidad's Ato Boldon for the title "world's fastest man."
Throwing at the Olympic games is made up of six different competitions. Athletes try to throw heavy things as far as they can. Athletes have a few tries, and only their best try counts. The athlete that throws the object the farthest wins.
Javelin
The javelin is like a long spear. Athletes run, holding the javelin, and then throw it from behind a line on the ground. If the athlete steps over the line, the throw does not count. The athlete that throws the javelin the farthest wins.
Shot-Put
A shot is a very heavy, round, smooth metal ball made out of iron or brass. The athlete throws the shot by holding it under his or her chin and then pushing it to throw it. That throw is called the "put". Get it? Shot put?
Discus
The discus is round like a plate. The center is made from wood, and it has a metal rim. The athletes spin around before throwing the discus. The athlete whose discus lands the farthest away wins.
Ones to Watch: In the women's event keep your eye on U.S. teammates Dawn Ellerbe, who does the hammer throw, and discus thrower Seilala Sua, who is a three time National champ. In the men's event watch for U.S. athletes, Lance Deal, who won the silver medal at the 1996 Olympics for the hammer throw, and shot putter, C.J. Hunter who also happens to be the husband of famous U.S. sprinter Marion Jones.
The combined events take place over two days. There is a women's competition and a men's competition. Athletes compete in several track and field events and win points based on how they do in each event. The person with the most points in the end wins.
The Heptathlon
The Heptathlon is the women's combined event. On the first day, women need to participate in the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, and shot-put. On the second day, they participate in the 200-meter dash, long jump, javelin, and 800-meter run.
The Decathlon
The decathlon is the men's event. The first day involves the 100-meter dash, long jump, shot-put, high jump, and 400-meter run. The second day involves the 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and 1,500 meter run.
The athletes win points based on how they do in each of these events. The person with the most points at the end of the combined event wins.