Heptathlon | Definition, Events, & Facts - Encyclopedia Britannica

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External Websites

• World Athletics - Heptathlon
• CORE - Heptathlon evaluation model using Grey system theory (PDF)
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Injuries by Events in Combined Events (Decathlon and Heptathlon) During 11 International Outdoor Athletics Championships

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heptathlon, athletics competition in which contestants take part in seven different track-and-field events in two days. The heptathlon replaced the women’s pentathlon in the Olympic Games after 1981. The women’s heptathlon consists of the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, and 200-meter run on the first day; and the running long (broad) jump, javelin throw, and 800-meter run on the second day. Competitors are scored for their performance in each event according to a table established by World Athletics. Notable Olympic gold-medal winners in heptathlon include Jackie Joyner-Kersee (U.S.), Carolina Klüft (Sweden), and Jessica Ennis-Hill (U.K.). A less-common men’s version of the heptathlon takes place indoors and replaces the hurdles, javelin throw, and runs with the 60-meter hurdles, pole vault, and 60- and 100-meter runs.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Will Gosner.