Track And Field History

If you've ever wondered, "What is the history of track and field?" there is a long history. Track and field is also known as track and field athletics. History of Olympic track and field is said to have started around 776 BC in ancient Greece, although there is also evidence that it actually had begun years before that. It was decided that Olympic Games would be played every 4 years somewhere between August 6 and September 14. The only games at this time were foot races, with wresting, the pentathlon and other games to be added shortly thereafter.

The Olympic track & field history almost ended in 394 AD when the Roman Emperor Theodosius temporarily banned the Olympic Games in an effort to eliminate pagan practices. In 1894, the Olympic Committee was started with the help of Baron Pierre de Coubertin. The history of track and field was once again on its way. The history of track and field in Athens Greece started in 1896, with the start of the Olympic Games. Around 245 men competed for 14 different countries in 43 different events. Women, at that point, were not allowed because Mr. de Coubertin believed they would be boring for the public to watch.

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In 1900, the history of track & field continued into Paris for the second Olympic event. This time the participant numbers were much higher with over 1300 men from 26 countries participating in over 75 events. The history of female track and field may have begun here as well when 11 women were allowed to participate in two events: lawn tennis and golf.

The track & field history continues through the 1900s, with 1912 being a big year for some. Jim Thorpe was the hero taking the in the decathlon and the pentathlon. Finland led the long distance running category with Hannes Kolehmainen winning three gold medals and a silver. Women swimmers competed for the first time; however, there were none from America due to a law restricting them from competing without wearing long skirts. In a twist of fate, Jim Thorpe had his medals taken from him in 1913 because it was determined he had accepted $25 a week for playing baseball 4 years prior to this. The rules stated the Olympics were strictly limited to amateur players.

In the summer of 1848, the history of track & field continued as the Olympic Games were aired on television for the first time, with 59 countries attending. So popular were the Olympic track and field events, that schools began having the same competitions. This how the history of high school track and field began.