8 Facts About Track and Field

Did you know that track and field is one of the oldest sports in history? During the ancient Olympics, track and field was one of the first and most popular events during the games in Greece. An interesting track and field fact is that the sport is divided into two different events. On the track side there are 3 sprint distance races, a mid-distance race and long distance races. There are also races that include hurdles.  On the field side the events include: long jump, high jump, triple-jump, pole vault, shot put, javelin, hammer, and the discus. Read on for more fun facts about track and field:

8 Track and Field Facts

1. 1. The oldest track & field participant in history is 105 year old Hidekichi Miyazaki of Japan. (source) He set this record running a 100m race on his birthday.

2. 2. Track and field is the most popular high school sport for girls in the United States. (source) It has 488,267 student participants and is the most popular in 16 states.

3. 3. Usain Bolt is considered the fastest man on Earth on the track. (source) He is an eight-time Olympic gold medalist and eleven-time World Champion who holds the world record for the 100 and 200 meter race along with the 4×100 relay with his team mates.

4. 4. The highest pole vault was completed by Armand Duplantis of Sweden. (source) He vaulted at a height of 20 ft and 3.3 inches.

5. 5. The first college track meet in history occurred in 1864. (source) It took place in England between Oxford and Cambridge university.

6. 6. The first Olympic race happened in Greece back in 776 B.C. (source) The track was 600 feet long, which is much different than today’s standard of 400 meters (1,312 feet).

7. 7. Track and Field’s scope widened in the 1920s. (source) In 1921, the first NCAA National Championships were held for men. In 1928, women’s track and field became part of the Olympic games.

8. 8. No track runner has more Olympic medals than Paavo Nurmi. (source) Representing Finland, Paavo Nurmi won 12 Olympic medals in Track and Field, including 9 gold medals and 3 silver medals.

This page has been updated to include more facts.