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Sports Vocabulary

Athletics Games List in English

Athletics games are a fantastic way to push your physical limits and showcase your skills. In this article, you’ll explore what athletics games are, a list of various athletics games, and some top athletics games with interesting facts.

Athletics Games List

Athletics Games ListPin
Athletics Games List – Created by 7ESL

Common Athletics Games

  • Sprints
  • Long jump
  • Triple jump
  • Relay races
  • Javelin
  • Hammer throw
  • Discus
  • Steeplechase
  • Race walking
  • Marathon
  • Half-marathon
  • Shot put
  • Discus throw
  • High jump
  • Pole Vault
  • Hurdling
  • Swimming
  • Archery
  • Cycling
  • Gymnastics
  • Taekwondo
  • Shooting
  • Wrestling

What are Athletics Games?

The word athletics is derived from the Ancient Greek: “athlon”, which means “a contest” and, consequently, a contest of physical proficiency.

These sports require athletes to participate in a variety of disciplines, such as running, jumping, throwing and swimming. The games can take place on certain locations or in an arena where the event is broadcasted through public viewing.

The term athletics is most commonly used to refer to track and field. However, it may also have a wider meaning, especially in North America. It can be used to refer to all forms of sport which involve running, jumping or throwing: cross country running, road running (marathon) and race walking.

Athletics Games List with Facts

Sprints

Often referred to as the world’s most competitive event, the 100 metres is one of the most popular events at the Summer Olympics. The distance of the event is defined by the IAAF, who created the event in 1912. The men’s 100 metre record is held by Usain Bolt.

It also includes the 200m, 400m and 800m races.

Long jump

A long jump competition is an athletics event at a track and field competition in which the athletes must surpass a distance of two meters while they are airborne to win. The most recognized event in long jump is the high or, as it is called in many countries, the vault.

Triple jump

A triple jump competition is an athletics event in which competitors must surpass three different marks on two separate jumps. The name and style of the event refer to the number of distinct jumps involved: triple jump. This event involves three separate jumps over a sand pit, and one over water to breaks the world record for longest distance.

Relay races

Relay races are a form of track and field competition in which each competitor’s performance in a running, swimming or a cycling race depends on the overall outcome of their team (a relay team) or a special combination of individual competitors’ performances (individual medley).

Throwing events

A throwing event is a form of track and field competition involving a projectile (such as a ball, discus, javelin, shot put, weight stone or hammer) being thrown into a target (such as an area on the ground or into the air).

Steeplechase

The steeplechase is a running event that takes place over a long distance of two or three miles with runners bounding over obstacles, usually eight or ten times in succession. It was introduced to the Olympics in 1912 by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF). The event was revived at the Olympics in 1984 and 1988, until it was retired from 1992 through 2012.

Shot Put

The shot put is a track and field event in which athletes throw a heavy spherical object (the shot) as far as possible. The shot must be thrown with both hands (doubles) or one hand (singles). The rules of the game stipulate that the shot must be released before reaching a distance of 10.30 m (33 ft).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Athletics games are an excellent way to exercise the body, mind and spirit. They also provide additional benefits in terms of health which usually results in any individual feeling happier than before. However, these games aren’t always easy given that they require a lot of work and skill.

A2 Knowledge Check · 5 questions

Athletics Games Practice Quiz (A2)

1 / 5
Q1

Question 1: What does SPRINT mean in athletics?

Question 1 options
Sprint means a short, fast run. It refers to running at top speed over a short distance, like 100 metres. Jump, throw, and swim are different types of athletic actions, not fast running.
Q2

Question 2: Which word is closest in meaning to COMPETE?

Question 2 options
Contest is closest in meaning to compete because both words describe trying to win against others. Watch means to look at something, train means to practise, and celebrate means to show happiness about a success.
Q3

Question 3: Coach: 'Well done! You ran the whole 400 metres without stopping.' Athlete: 'Thank you! I wanted to break my personal ___.'

Question 3 options
Record is correct because a personal record is the best time or distance someone has ever achieved. Score refers to points in a game, level refers to a stage of difficulty, and prize is something you win, not a personal best time.
Q4

Question 4: The ___ put is an athletics event where an athlete throws a heavy metal ball as far as possible.

Question 4 options
Shot is correct because shot put is the name of the event where a heavy spherical object is thrown. Stone put, ball put, and iron put are not real names for this athletics event.
Q5

Question 5: In English, you say 'do a sprint' to describe running a short fast race.

Question 5 options
False because the correct collocation is 'run a sprint' or simply 'sprint'. We say 'do athletics' in general, but for specific race events we use 'run', not 'do', with sprint.

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