Athletics | Definition, History, Events, & Facts - Encyclopedia Britannica

Maybe your like

Origin and early development

Ancient Olympic GamesInfographic showing events in which athletes competed at the ancient Olympic Games, including running events, the pentathlon, and the pankration.(more)

There is little in the way of definitive records of athletics’ early days as organized sport. Egyptian and Asian civilizations are known to have encouraged athletics many centuries before the Christian era. Perhaps as early as 1829 bce, Ireland was the scene of the Lugnasad festival’s Tailteann Games, involving various forms of track-and-field activity. The Olympic Games of Greece, traditionally dated from 776 bce, continued through 11 centuries before ending about 393 ce. These ancient Olympics were strictly male affairs, as to both participants and spectators. Greek women were reputed to have formed their own Heraea Games, which, like the Olympics, were held every four years.

Athletics as practiced today was born and grew to maturity in England. The first mention of the sport in England was recorded in 1154, when practice fields were first established in London. The sport was banned by King Edward III in the 1300s but revived a century later by Henry VIII, reputed to be an accomplished hammer thrower.

Explore Britannica Premium!

The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.