History of Track & Field

Track and Field, known simply as Athletics in the rest of the world (excepting the US and Canada), dates back to 776 BC. The first Olympics had only one event: a stadium race run on a track. But as time went on, the Ancient Olympic Games added more and more events. By the time it was done growing, the contests were spread over 5 days of competition.

To participate, free men of appropriate youth had to swear in front of a statue of Zeus that they had been training for at least 10 months. Men were turned away if they seemed too old to compete. Sprints, foot races similar to modern-day marathons, boxing and wrestling matches, and chariot races were the important events of the week. Men also participated in other events including a pentathlon.

These ancient games spread to other communities like those of the Romans, Celts and Goths. Over time, they morphed from mere sport to combat training, and eventually back to athleticism for the sake of competition. L'Olympiade de la Republique was a French Olympic precursor held in the 1790's. This Olympiade was the first competition to introduce the metric system of measurement. The Summer Olympics were founded 100 years later.

As sports became incorporated into scholastics, schools began to hold athletic competitions in the 19th century. These competitions were held on a 400 meter track, in and around which field events took place.

Since the first Summer Olympic games in 1896, Track & Field events have remained the backbone of the contests.
Source: EzineArticles.com