DECATHLON / HEPTATHLON: COMBINED EVENTS
MEN (DEC.), WOMEN (HEPT.)
DECATHLON – The decathlon is a combined event in athletics consisting of ten track and field events. Decathlon combines four runs, three jumps and three throws. Events are held over two consecutive days and the winners are determined by the combined performance in all. Performance is judged on a points system in each event, not by the position achieved. The decathlon is contested mainly by male athletes, while female athletes typically compete in the heptathlon.
HEPTATHLON – A heptathlon is a track and field combined events contest made up of seven events. Women’s heptathlon is the combined event for women contested in the athletics programme of the Olympics.