Decathlon facts for kids

A decathlon is an exciting sports competition where athletes show off many different skills! It's a special event in track and field that includes ten (deca means ten!) different challenges. These challenges are made up of four running races, three jumping events, and three throwing events.

The word decathlon comes from ancient Greek. It combines two words: déka, which means "ten," and áthlon, meaning "feat" or "contest." So, it literally means "a contest of ten feats"!

What is the Decathlon?

The decathlon is a tough two-day event that tests an athlete's speed, strength, and endurance. Athletes earn points for how well they do in each of the ten events. The person with the most points at the end wins! It's like a super-athlete challenge.

The Ten Events of the Decathlon

Decathletes compete in five events on the first day and five on the second. Here are the events:

Day 1 Events

• 100-meter dash: A short, fast sprint to test pure speed.
• Long jump: Athletes run and jump as far as they can into a sand pit.
• Shot put: Competitors throw a heavy metal ball as far as possible.
• High jump: Athletes jump over a horizontal bar without knocking it down.
• 400-meter dash: A longer sprint that tests speed and endurance.

Day 2 Events

• 110-meter hurdles: A sprint over ten barriers. It needs speed and coordination.
• Discus throw: Athletes spin and throw a heavy disc.
• Pole vault: Competitors use a long, flexible pole to vault over a high bar.
• Javelin throw: Athletes throw a spear-like object as far as they can.
• 1500-meter run: The longest race, testing endurance and mental toughness.

How Decathletes Score Points

In the decathlon, athletes don't just win by being first in an event. They earn points based on their performance in each event. For example, running faster, jumping farther, or throwing longer earns more points.

There are special scoring tables that convert times, distances, and heights into points. The goal is to get as many points as possible across all ten events. The athlete with the highest total score at the end of the second day is the champion!

History of the Decathlon

The idea of combining many events into one competition is very old. Ancient Greek Olympic Games had a similar event called the pentathlon. This event included five sports: running, long jump, discus throw, javelin throw, and wrestling.

The modern decathlon, with its ten events, became popular in the early 1900s. It was first included in the Summer Olympics for men in 1912. Since then, it has been a highlight of the Olympic Games.

Famous Decathletes

Many amazing athletes have become decathlon champions. They are often called the "world's greatest athlete" because they are so good at so many different sports.

• Jim Thorpe: An American athlete who won the decathlon at the 1912 Olympics. He was one of the first famous decathlon stars.
• Daley Thompson: A British decathlete who won two Olympic gold medals in the 1980s. He was known for his strong performances.
• Ashton Eaton: An American decathlete who won two Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016. He also set world records.

These athletes show that with hard work and dedication, you can master many different skills!