| | | Track and field, or athletics as it is known in many countries, is an athletic event (usually known as a "Meet") in which contestants compete in various running, jumping, vaulting, hurdling, and throwing competitions. |
| Track and Field dates back to ancient times. It first became popular in Greece and Rome times as a form of entertainment in ancient festivals. Popularity decreased during Medieval times but the sport's popularity rebounded during the 12th to 19th centuries.
Changes in lifestyle, training technology, performance equipment, and steroids have drastically changed the sport in the 20th century. Performance once considered unattainable, such as the 4-minute mile (first achieved by Roger Bannister in 1953), the 8-ft high jump (first achieved by Javier Sotomayor in 1993), the 20 ft pole vault (by Sergey Bubka in 1991) are just examples of previously unconceivable records. Testing of athletes for unsanctioned training or enhancement techniques have now become standard practice. |
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