Track And Field History

Are you interested in track and field history? Track and field history has a deep heritage spanning thousands of years. Track and field history was being made in Greece, Rome, Britain and America long before the average couch potato watched the Olympic games for the first time.

The History Of Track And Field

What is the history of track and field? The very first Olympics was held in 776 B.C. and the center of attention was “athletics”. The history of track and field began modestly, with a stadium-length foot race between individual runners. Through the years of track and field history, particularly in the Classical Era, more games were created. These included the the Panhellenic Games, which consisted of the Pythian Games in 527 B.C.E. Which were held every four years, the Nemean Games, started in 516 B.C.E. and held every two years, the Isthmian Games in 523 B.C.E. Held every two years, and the Roman Games, which were Etruscan rather than Greek in origin.

The Roman Games seemed to highlight more aggressive and spectacular events such as chariot racing, wrestling and gladiatorial combat, whereas more classical games of skill or exercise were deemphasized. Other civilizations also enjoyed these types of athletic contests, incluing the Goths, Celts and Teutons. Historians note however that many contests were actually related to combat training, again influenced by the Roman lifestyle. The middle ages were also a time of combative contests, with many young athletes being trained in running, leap and wrestling – as well as riding, jousting and arms training (and in swords). Track and field history never died, even when the world's favorite form of contesting changed.

The Olympic Track Field History

What about the modern day history of Olympic track and field? Although there is evidence that the Olympics date back to the year 776 of the B.C. Era, the formal organization of the event, and hence the modern day history of track & field, began in the 19th century. Officials began to incorporate sports and common exercise routines back into the games. Dates differ from when the first official adoption by a college institution was introduced – ranging from 1812 to 1850. Athletics was officially introduced into the Olympic Games in 1896.

Another significant year, particularly in the history of female track and field, was 1928 in which women were finally allowed to participate in Olympic track and field events. The history of track & field would not be complete without the formal union of an international governing body. The International Association of Athletics Federations was founded in 1912, and later joined by many regional games, such as the European Championships and the Pan-American Games.

Track / field history continues with modern day events organized around a 400 meter running track upon which most events take place. There are field events including vaulting, jumping, and throwing. Reviewing a history of high school track and field certainly makes people appreciate the heritage of sports as well as the universal joy of competition.