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Athletics in its modern form emerged in ancient Greece. The term “athletics” itself is also of Greek origin, with the word “athletos” first appearing in Homer’s work in the 8th century BC to refer to a person who performs hard work. Later it was used to refer to any competitor who competed for a prize: “athlon” professionally.
In the competitions organized by the Greeks, running was initially the most popular discipline – for a long time they only competed in stadium running, but then more and more disciplines were added to the program. The competitions spread throughout the empire, and the Olympic Games became an all Greek celebration. The Olympic victors have been known since 776 BC, which is why this is considered the beginning of the ancient Olympic Games. The importance of athletics and its role in the Olympic movement are undeniable, and therefore it is an indispensable part of the program of the modern summer games.
Ancient Greeks threw stones of different weights. An inscription found at Olympia reads “Bybon threw over the head of Opheias’ throw” (presumably with two hands). Numerous forms of folk throwing games existed in medieval Europe, but shot put competitions with iron balls only appeared in the 19th century. The shot put in the modern sense was already included in the first English athletics championship in 1866 and was also included in the program of the 1896 Athens Games.
Standard weight of the men’s shot put: 7.26 kg
Current men’s world record: 23.56 meters, Ryan Crouser (American) 2023
Standard weight of the women’s shot put: 4 kg
Current women’s world record: 22.63 meters, Natalya Lisovskaya (Soviet), 1987
It can be traced back to one of the oldest weapons of man, the spear. Its use as a combat tool persisted for a long time, while its evolution into a sport began in ancient Greece in 708 Bc as part of the pentathlon at the Olympic Games. Among modern games, it first appeared at the 1906 unofficial Olympics, the Panhellenic Games, and has been an integral part of the program since the 1908 London Olympics. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, various javelin standards coexisted. However, international sports soon settled on the Swedish javelin, whose length and weight have remained unchanged. The center of gravity has been modified several times to encourage athletes to throw with greater force.
Standard men’s javelin: minimum Length: 260 cm, weight: 800 grams
Men’s world record: 98.48 meters, Jan Železný (Czech Republican),1996
Standard women’s javelin: minimum Length: 220 cm, weight: 600 grams
Women’s world record: 72.28 meters, Barbora Špotáková (Czech Republican), 2008
It appeared in the ancient games from the 4th century BC as one of the Pentathlons’ disciplines. Due to its antique history, it was also included in the program of the 1896 Athens Olympics, where the throwers threw the discus in the old Hellenistic manner, from a half-kneeling position on a 70 x 80 cm platform. Iit was forbidden to raise the legs during the throw, but they could step off after the throw. These restrictions were soon abandoned, and the rotational throw, which forms the basis of today’s technique, appeared in 1897.
Standard weight of the men’s discus: 2 kg
Current men’s world record: 74.35 meters, Mykolas Alekna (Lithuanian), 2024
Standard weight of the women’s discus: 1 kg
Current women’s world record: 76.80 meters, Gabriele Reinsch (East German), 1988
Unusually, this athletics event has no ancient Greek precedent. The game most resembling the hammer throw appeared among the ancestors of the Scots and Irish, the Celts, who threw the wheels of war chariots by their axles. The sport finally took root through British mediation. It was included in the first English Athletics Championships in 1866 and became an Olympic event from 1900 onwards. The throwing technique has developed enormously over the past 124 years, thanks in part to the outstanding Hungarian competitors.
Standard weight of the men’s hammer: 7.26 kg, length: 121.3 cm
Current men’s world record: 86.74 meters (284 ft 7 in), Yuriy Sedykh (Soviet), 1986
Standard weight of the women’s hammer: 4 kg, length: 119.4 cm
Current women’s world record: 82.98 meters (272 ft 2 in), Anita Włodarczyk (Polish), 2016
The sport evolved from open field obstacle racing. In the 1830s, the English already held running competitions where competitors had to jump over hedges, fences and other fixed obstacles. These were still extremely dangerous at the time, so only men competed in this event. In the 1920s, one-way tilting hurdles appeared, which were significantly safer, so women’s competition could also begin. The height of the hurdles depends not only on whether it is a women’s or men’s event, but also on the distance the runners are competing in.
For Men:
In the 110-meter hurdles, the height of the hurdle is: 106.7 cm
Current world record: 12.80 seconds, Aries Merritt (American), 2012
In the 400-meter hurdles, the height of the hurdle is: 91.4 cm
Current world record: 45.94 seconds, Karsten Warholm (Norwegian), 2022
For Women:
In the 100-meter hurdles, the height of the hurdle is: 83.8 meters
Current world record: 12.12 seconds, Tobi Amusan (Nigerian), 2022
In the 400-meter hurdles, the height of the hurdle is: 76.2 cm
Current world record: 50.65 seconds, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (American), 2024
Fencing, as a form of warfare, is almost as old as humanity itself. Its modern, rule-bound form emerged in the Middle Ages with knightly duels. Over the following centuries, armor was replaced by lighter protective gear and more flexible swords, while the foundations of the techniques still known today were laid in Northern Italy and Spain at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. Fencing has always been part of the program since the beginning of the modern Olympics (1896).
Weight: maximum 500 g
Size: total length 105 cm, blade length 88 cm
Development: By the end of the 15th century, the curved-bladed saber had also spread in Europe, which corresponds to the ancestor of the sword used in modern fencing. The modern sword became known through Giuseppe Radaelli and the Sculo Magistrale school he led. Its special feature was that the weapon was not guided from the wrist, but from the elbow.
Characteristic: The matches are fought between two opponents on a fencing area called the piste. The aim is to hit the opponent with the sword (by thrusting or cutting) without being hit. Valid hits can be scored from the waist up, which is signaled by an electronic device. This branch of fencing is characterized by its dynamism.
Weight: maximum 500g
Size: total length 110 cm, blade length 90 cm
Development: It evolved from the rapier, a practice and side weapon of 18th-century nobles. In addition to practice, some students began to use this type for duels, and then German students developed a small thrusting sword called the Pariser from it. At that time, duels lasted until the death of one of the parties, and the design of the foil and the later target area (torso) were adapted to this purpose.
Characteristic: The matches are fought between two opponents on a fencing area called the piste. The aim is to hit the opponent with the foil (only by thrusting) without being hit. A valid hit can only be scored on the torso, which is signaled by an electronic device. It is essential to decide who initiated the attack.
Weight: at least 770 g
Size: total length not more than 110 cm, blade length 90 cm
Development: It was developed in the 19th century for practice and competition. Its predecessor was the épée-type sword, which was a popular dueling tool of the time. Its spread can be dated back to the time when, under pressure from the authorities, duels were no longer fought to the death but “to first blood”, so the limbs became the primary targets instead of the torso. The rules of the epee were specifically designed to simulate a real duel situation as much as possible.
Characteristic: The matches are fought between two opponents on a fencing area called the piste. The aim is to hit the opponent with the epee (only by thrusting) without being hit. A valid hit can be scored on any part of the body, which is signaled by an electronic device. There is a double hit, no matter who initiated the attack.
Weight: Depends on size and type
Size: Varies based on head size, maximum mesh eye size 1.2 mm, wire diameter at least 1 mm
Development: Wearing headgear was initially rare, but it began to spread from the end of the 18th century, but most of them did not protect the ears and forehead at that time. Lattice types began to be manufactured from the 1830s onwards. Neck protection and more ergonomic design gradually took place from the end of the 19th century. Nowadays, more developed plastic helmets can replace metal mesh types.
Types: The difference between headgear used for foil, épée and epee is mainly the electrical feedback devices built into the helmet and its accessories.
Weight: Varies by size
Size: Varies
Material: Must be made of fabric with a resistance of at least 800 N (newtons)
Parts: A jacket that completely covers the body. Pants that overlap the jacket by at least 10 cm. Stockings which legs run under the pants. A strong, electrically insulated protective vest is placed under the jacket.
Development: Until the 17th century, fencing clothes did not show any uniformity. Then, however, the wearing of a white shirt, a breastplate to protect the torso and gloves became increasingly pronounced. The shirt was replaced a century later by a jacket that could be buttoned to the side.
In boxing, two athletes deliver blows with their hands, wearing boxing gloves, in a ring. Boxing was already part of the program of the ancient Olympics and has survived in different formats throughout history. Modern boxing developed at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and has been a permanent part of the Olympic program since 1904.
Flyweight (52kg)
Featherweight (57kg)
Lightweight (63kg)
Welterweight (69kg)
Middleweight (75kg)
Light heavyweight (81kg)
Heavyweight (91kg)
Super heavyweight (+91kg)
Flyweight (51kg)
Featherweight (57kg)
Lightweight (60kg)
Welterweight (69kg)
Middleweight (75kg)
The exact size of boxing gloves is agreed upon by the competitors before the match. Glove weight is measured in ounces. 1 ounce is 28.3495 grams
6 ounces – children’s and youth competitions
8 ounces – children’s and youth competitions, sometimes women’s and men’s flyweight (under 50 kg)
10 ounces – 45-67 kg
12 ounces – 45-67 kg
14 ounces – 68-79 kg
16 ounces – over 80 kg
Boxing bags are used by boxers for training and movement development. They do not have a specific standard, so there are many types and shapes. “Teardrop” bags are used to develop reflexes and the speed of small punches, while cylindrical punching bags are used to practice body punches and hooks. These bags are filled with sand, water, or synthetic substitutes.
Most knockouts:
Most Olympic championships:
Rhythmic gymnastics is a branch of gymnastics in which athletes perform floor exercises with various apparatus such as balls, ribbons, hoops, or clubs. This sport combines elements of dance and gymnastics, so in addition to strength, flexibility, agility, dexterity, and coordination are also important. The predecessor of the sport appeared as early as the 18th century, the International Gymnastics Federation recognized it as a sport in 1963, and it has been on the Olympic program since 1984.
Material: plastic or wood.
Dimensions: depends on the gymnast’s body size, but if laid on the floor, it cannot extend beyond the hip bone. Inner diameter: 51-90 cm.
Weight: at least 300 g
Material: plastic
Length: 19-21 inches (480-530 millimeters)
Weight: at least 150 g
Material: satin or other similar fabric
Weight: at least 35 g
Length: 4-6 cm
Height: minimum 6 m
Material: rubber or synthetic material
Diameter: 18-20 cm
Weight: at least 400 g
Material: hemp or synthetic material
Dimensions: variable, the only restriction is that the non-slip material at the ends of the rope can cover a maximum of 10 cm.
Most successful foreign: Russian competitor Dina Averina holds the record with four world championship gold medals.
The canoe-kayak sport has two main variants in the Olympic program: canoe sprint, which was also formerly called flatwater canoe-kayak, and canoe slalom, which is sometimes called whitewater canoe-kayak. Canoe sprint races are held over 200/500/1000 meter distances. The length of a canoe slalom course is between 600 and 800 meters. A minimum of 25 and a maximum of 30 gates must be placed on the course, through which the competitors must pass from a specified direction (in the direction of the current or against it).
Canoe-kayak is an individual and team water sport. In a kayak, the competitor paddles the boat with a double-bladed paddle (oar), sitting in the direction of travel, steering with a rudder, and moving forward on the water with a rowing motion. In a canoe, the competitor paddles the boat with a single-bladed paddle, kneeling on one knee, on the right or left side, with an asymmetric circular motion, rowing in the direction of travel.
In the 1960s and early 1970s, kayaks and canoes were made of fine wood, fiberglass polyester, and nylon. Carbon-Kevlar-based boats were introduced in the 1970s, which were already lighter.
K-1: 520 cm and 12 kg, K-2: 650 cm and 18 kg, K-4: 1100 cm and 30 kg.
Maximum length and minimum weight of canoes used today:
C-1: 520 cm and 14 kg, C-2: 650 cm and 20 kg, C-4: 900 cm and 30 kg.
Double-bladed kayak paddles are made of carbon fiber or fiberglass. The blades can be offset from each other by 55-85 degrees, but there are also competitors who prefer completely symmetrical paddles. The blade and handle of canoe paddles are generally still made of wood.
Rowing has been part of the Olympics since 1900. Women’s events were introduced at the 1976 Montreal Games. Unlike canoe-kayakers, rowers sit facing away from the direction of travel, on a rolling seat, and row with oars resting against a rotating structure attached to the side of the boat. In rowing, therefore, the pivot point is not the competitors’ shoulders or hands, but the attachment points of the oars.
Rowing can be sweep rowing or sculling depending on the discipline. In sculling, the competitors hold one oar in each hand. In sweep rowing, the competitors hold one oar with both hands, and one rows on the right side and the other on the left; the cox’s job is to steer the boat and keep the team together.
The hulls of racing boats were originally made of wood, but composite materials are now used. Typically, they are double-layered, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, with a bonding agent between the layers.
coxless pair: 10.4 m
coxed pair: 10.7 m
coxless four: 13.4 m
coxed four: 13.7 m
coxed eight: 18.9 m
The lengths of the boats for sculling are:
single scull: 8.2 m
double scull: 10.4 m
quadruple scull: 13.4 m
Sculling oars are about 250-300 cm long, and sweep rowing oars are 340-380 cm long. Classic oars are made of wood. Modern oars are made of synthetic materials such as carbon fiber.
The sport evolved from a 12th-century North French folk game called jeu de paume, in which the ball was still hit with the palm of the hand. Rackets appeared in the 16th century, and the modern form of tennis developed in 19th-century England. The first official competition was held here, organized by the Leamington Lawn Tennis Club in Birmingham in 1874. Three years later, the first Wimbledon Championships was held, which has since been one of the most important Grand Slam tournaments in the sport. Tennis has undergone incredible development. At the end of the 19th century, rackets were still made of wood and the strings were made of animal gut, while today the frames are made of carbon fiber and light metal composite, and various synthetic materials such as Kevlar, Vectran, Zyex, or polyolefin are used for the strings.
The size of tennis rackets is determined by the thickness of the grip:
Size L1 has a circumference of 105 mm
Size L2 has a circumference of 108 mm
Size L3 has a circumference of 111 mm
Size L4 has a circumference of 114 mm
Size L5 has a circumference of 118 mm
Size L6 has a circumference of 121 mm
Size L7 has a circumference of 124 mm
Size L8 has a circumference of 127 mm
The size of the strung part of the tennis racket is regulated: The width of the frame cannot exceed 29.21 cm and its height cannot exceed 39.37 cm. The total length of the racket (along its axis, including the frame and handle) cannot exceed 73.66 centimeters, and the maximum width of its frame cannot exceed 31.75 centimeters.
The tennis court also has specific dimensions. The total length of the court is 23.77 meters: each half-court is 11.89 meters long. The width of the court is different for singles and doubles matches. If singles are played, then the width is 8.23 meters. In this case, the 1.37 meter corridors on either side of the court are valid playing surfaces. If doubles are played, the two corridors are also considered active playing areas. In this case, the width of the court is 12 yards (10.97 meters).
The most successful male players in terms of the number of Grand Slam singles victories:
24 victories – Novak Đoković (Serbian)
22 victories – Rafael Nadal (Spanish)
20 victories – Roger Federer (Swiss)
The most successful female players in terms of the number of Grand Slam singles victories:
24 victories – Margaret Smith Court (Australian)
23 victories – Serena Williams (American)
22 victories – Steffi Graf (German)
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