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Inducted into the Olympics in 1984 Los Angeles
Summer Games, heptathlon consists of seven events which are 100
meter hurdles, High jump, Shot put, 200 meter event, Long jump,
Javelin throw and 800 meter event. Three of these events are track
while four are field. For emerging at top in the heptathlon, the
athlete need not top score in all the competitions. She should have
accumulated the most number of points collectively in all the
events.
Rules and Regulations
Heptathlon was recognized by the International Association of
Athletics Federations or IAAF in 1981. In Olympics, rules framed by
the IAAF are followed.
- Two events usually have the interval of 30 minutes between
them.
- Metric system is used for measuring the distance in high
jump, long jump, javelin throw and shot put.
- In the track events, IAAF approved devices are used for
measurement of time.
- The athletes are prohibited from obstructing their
competitors during the event. For the offence, she could be
punished in two ways. For minor offence her points could be
deducted and for a major offence she could even be disqualified.
- Starting height in high jump and pole vault is determined by
the International Association of Athletics Federations or the
IAAF.
- Three chances are given to the athletes in the events of
javelin throw, long jump, high jump and shot put.
- It is mandatory for the athletes to participate in all seven
events of heptathlon. If they miss even a single event, he is
out of the competition.
- The athlete who has accumulated highest number of points
collectively in all the events is the winner.
Top Performers
Women athletes who have excelled at the Olympics in heptathlon event
are Ramona Neubert, Ghada Shouaa, Irina Belova, Jackie
Joyner-Kersee, Denise Lewis, Natallia Sazanovich Sabine Braun, Anke
Behmer, Natalya Shubenkova, Eunice Barber, Carolina Kluft and Larisa
Turchinskaya. |
