NCERT Book: Individual Games | NCERT Books & Solutions for Humanities - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


Ind Iv Idual Games 4
Games and sports are important parts of our lives. They 
are essential to enjoy overall health and well-being. Sports 
and games offer numerous advantages and are thus highly 
recommended for everyone irrespective of their age. Sports 
with individualistic approach characterised with graceful 
skills of players are individual sports. Do you like the idea of 
playing an individual sport and be responsible for your win or 
loss, success or failure? There are various sports that come 
under this category. This chapter will help you to enhance 
your knowledge about Athletics, Badminton, Gymnastics, 
Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis, and Wrestling.
Athletics Running, jumping and throwing are natural and universal 
forms of human physical expression. Track and field events 
are the improved versions of all these. These are among the 
oldest of all sporting competitions. Athletics consist of track 
and field events. In the track events, competitions of races 
of different distances are conducted. The different track and 
field events have their roots in ancient human history.
History
Ancient Olympic Games are the first recorded examples of 
organised track and field events. In 776 B.C., in Olympia, 
Greece, only one event was contested which was known as 
the stadion footrace. The scope of the games expanded in 
later years. Further it included running competitions, but the 
introduction of the Ancient Olympic pentathlon marked a step 
towards track and field as it is recognised today. There were 
five events in pentathlon namely—discus throw, long jump, 
javelin throw, the stadion foot race, and wrestling.
Chap-4.indd   49 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Page 2


Ind Iv Idual Games 4
Games and sports are important parts of our lives. They 
are essential to enjoy overall health and well-being. Sports 
and games offer numerous advantages and are thus highly 
recommended for everyone irrespective of their age. Sports 
with individualistic approach characterised with graceful 
skills of players are individual sports. Do you like the idea of 
playing an individual sport and be responsible for your win or 
loss, success or failure? There are various sports that come 
under this category. This chapter will help you to enhance 
your knowledge about Athletics, Badminton, Gymnastics, 
Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis, and Wrestling.
Athletics Running, jumping and throwing are natural and universal 
forms of human physical expression. Track and field events 
are the improved versions of all these. These are among the 
oldest of all sporting competitions. Athletics consist of track 
and field events. In the track events, competitions of races 
of different distances are conducted. The different track and 
field events have their roots in ancient human history.
History
Ancient Olympic Games are the first recorded examples of 
organised track and field events. In 776 B.C., in Olympia, 
Greece, only one event was contested which was known as 
the stadion footrace. The scope of the games expanded in 
later years. Further it included running competitions, but the 
introduction of the Ancient Olympic pentathlon marked a step 
towards track and field as it is recognised today. There were 
five events in pentathlon namely—discus throw, long jump, 
javelin throw, the stadion foot race, and wrestling.
Chap-4.indd   49 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Health and Physical Education - XI 50
Track and field events were also present at the Pan-
Hellenic Games in Greece around 200 B.C. period and spread 
to Rome in Italy. Track and field events began developing 
in parts of Northern Europe in the middle ages. The stone 
put and weight throw competitions popular among Celtic 
societies in Ireland and Scotland were predecessor to the 
modern shot put and hammer throw events. Pole vault is the 
last track and field events which evolved in the eighteenth 
century.
In the late 19th century, modern track and field 
competitions were separated from general sporting festivals 
and were first recorded. These competitions were typically 
organised by educational institutions, military organisations, 
and sports clubs. Competitive hurdling first came into being, 
with the advent of the steeplechase in England around 1850. 
The first national body for the sport of athletics, The Amateur 
Athletic Association (AAA) was established in England in 
1880. Under this grouping, track and field became the focus 
of the annual AAA Championships. The United States also 
began holding an annual national competition. The USA 
outdoor Track and Field Championship was held in 1868 by 
the New York Athletic Club.
The establishment of the modern Olympic Games at the 
end of the nineteenth century marked a new height for track 
and field events. The Olympic athletics programme comprised 
of track and field events including a marathon race.  These 
also contained many of the foremost sporting competitions of 
the 1896 Summer Olympics.
The Olympics also consolidated the use of metric 
measurements in international track and field events, both 
for race distances and for measuring jumps and throws. The 
athletics programme greatly expanded over the next decades 
and remained most prominent among the games. The 
Olympics were the elite competitions for track and field, and 
only amateur sportsmen at that time could compete. Track 
and field continues to be largely an amateur sport.
The International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) was 
established in 1912, becoming the international governing 
body for track and fie ld.
Indian History of Athletics
In the history of Indian Athletics, the decade of 1940’s to 
1950’s is important as a number of Athletics associations 
were started in this decade. In 1946, the Amateur Athletics 
Federation of India (AAFI) was established for the management 
of Indian Athletics. The entire scenario of Indian Athletics 
was changed by AAFI as it worked in collaboration with 
Activity 4.1
Athletics at the 1960 Summer 
Paralympics consisted of 25 
events, 13 for men and 12 for 
women. Prepare the list of 
these events both for men and 
women.
Chap-4.indd   50 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Page 3


Ind Iv Idual Games 4
Games and sports are important parts of our lives. They 
are essential to enjoy overall health and well-being. Sports 
and games offer numerous advantages and are thus highly 
recommended for everyone irrespective of their age. Sports 
with individualistic approach characterised with graceful 
skills of players are individual sports. Do you like the idea of 
playing an individual sport and be responsible for your win or 
loss, success or failure? There are various sports that come 
under this category. This chapter will help you to enhance 
your knowledge about Athletics, Badminton, Gymnastics, 
Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis, and Wrestling.
Athletics Running, jumping and throwing are natural and universal 
forms of human physical expression. Track and field events 
are the improved versions of all these. These are among the 
oldest of all sporting competitions. Athletics consist of track 
and field events. In the track events, competitions of races 
of different distances are conducted. The different track and 
field events have their roots in ancient human history.
History
Ancient Olympic Games are the first recorded examples of 
organised track and field events. In 776 B.C., in Olympia, 
Greece, only one event was contested which was known as 
the stadion footrace. The scope of the games expanded in 
later years. Further it included running competitions, but the 
introduction of the Ancient Olympic pentathlon marked a step 
towards track and field as it is recognised today. There were 
five events in pentathlon namely—discus throw, long jump, 
javelin throw, the stadion foot race, and wrestling.
Chap-4.indd   49 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Health and Physical Education - XI 50
Track and field events were also present at the Pan-
Hellenic Games in Greece around 200 B.C. period and spread 
to Rome in Italy. Track and field events began developing 
in parts of Northern Europe in the middle ages. The stone 
put and weight throw competitions popular among Celtic 
societies in Ireland and Scotland were predecessor to the 
modern shot put and hammer throw events. Pole vault is the 
last track and field events which evolved in the eighteenth 
century.
In the late 19th century, modern track and field 
competitions were separated from general sporting festivals 
and were first recorded. These competitions were typically 
organised by educational institutions, military organisations, 
and sports clubs. Competitive hurdling first came into being, 
with the advent of the steeplechase in England around 1850. 
The first national body for the sport of athletics, The Amateur 
Athletic Association (AAA) was established in England in 
1880. Under this grouping, track and field became the focus 
of the annual AAA Championships. The United States also 
began holding an annual national competition. The USA 
outdoor Track and Field Championship was held in 1868 by 
the New York Athletic Club.
The establishment of the modern Olympic Games at the 
end of the nineteenth century marked a new height for track 
and field events. The Olympic athletics programme comprised 
of track and field events including a marathon race.  These 
also contained many of the foremost sporting competitions of 
the 1896 Summer Olympics.
The Olympics also consolidated the use of metric 
measurements in international track and field events, both 
for race distances and for measuring jumps and throws. The 
athletics programme greatly expanded over the next decades 
and remained most prominent among the games. The 
Olympics were the elite competitions for track and field, and 
only amateur sportsmen at that time could compete. Track 
and field continues to be largely an amateur sport.
The International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) was 
established in 1912, becoming the international governing 
body for track and fie ld.
Indian History of Athletics
In the history of Indian Athletics, the decade of 1940’s to 
1950’s is important as a number of Athletics associations 
were started in this decade. In 1946, the Amateur Athletics 
Federation of India (AAFI) was established for the management 
of Indian Athletics. The entire scenario of Indian Athletics 
was changed by AAFI as it worked in collaboration with 
Activity 4.1
Athletics at the 1960 Summer 
Paralympics consisted of 25 
events, 13 for men and 12 for 
women. Prepare the list of 
these events both for men and 
women.
Chap-4.indd   50 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Individual Games 51
the other Athletics associations for improving sports and 
athletics. Indian Athletics went through many phases. Many 
track and field games were played in the grass.
At present synthetic track is used which has made 
things easier as there was no need for manual marking 
of tracks and associated definitions for throws and jumps 
in those tracks. Application of technology has helped the 
athletes and improved the status of the sport. 
India has so far produced a number of successful 
athletes in the international level who have a rich 
tradition of winning performances in the international 
tournaments.
Some of the most successful athletes in the early history 
of Indian Athletics are Milkha Singh, T.C. Yohannan, 
Gurbachan Singh, Sriram Singh, etc. Some of the notable 
Indian Athletes in the contemporary period include P.T. 
Usha, Anju Bobby George, Jyotirmoyee Sikdar, Saraswati 
Saha, Soma Biswas, etc.
Classification of Athletics Events
According to the nature of competitions, athletics events are 
classified into four types. These are—
 Track Events: All running events come under track 
events.
 Field Events: The jumping and throwing events are 
called field events.
 Combined Events: There are some other unique events 
which are called as combined events. These are also 
organised in athletics. In fact, these are the combination 
of some track and field events, such as decathlon, 
heptathlon, etc.
 Events conducted outside the stadium: These events 
are held outside the track, on roads or at natural places; 
for example, Marathon of 42.195 km and 20 and 50 km 
walk.
Classification of Track Events
Track events are classified into three categories. These are—
Table 1: Classification of Track Events
1. Short Distance 
Races
2. Middle 
Distance Races
3. Long 
Distance Races
100 m 800 m 3000 m 
steeplechase
Activity 4.2
Collect information about your 
favourite athletes and share in 
the class.
Chap-4.indd   51 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Page 4


Ind Iv Idual Games 4
Games and sports are important parts of our lives. They 
are essential to enjoy overall health and well-being. Sports 
and games offer numerous advantages and are thus highly 
recommended for everyone irrespective of their age. Sports 
with individualistic approach characterised with graceful 
skills of players are individual sports. Do you like the idea of 
playing an individual sport and be responsible for your win or 
loss, success or failure? There are various sports that come 
under this category. This chapter will help you to enhance 
your knowledge about Athletics, Badminton, Gymnastics, 
Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis, and Wrestling.
Athletics Running, jumping and throwing are natural and universal 
forms of human physical expression. Track and field events 
are the improved versions of all these. These are among the 
oldest of all sporting competitions. Athletics consist of track 
and field events. In the track events, competitions of races 
of different distances are conducted. The different track and 
field events have their roots in ancient human history.
History
Ancient Olympic Games are the first recorded examples of 
organised track and field events. In 776 B.C., in Olympia, 
Greece, only one event was contested which was known as 
the stadion footrace. The scope of the games expanded in 
later years. Further it included running competitions, but the 
introduction of the Ancient Olympic pentathlon marked a step 
towards track and field as it is recognised today. There were 
five events in pentathlon namely—discus throw, long jump, 
javelin throw, the stadion foot race, and wrestling.
Chap-4.indd   49 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Health and Physical Education - XI 50
Track and field events were also present at the Pan-
Hellenic Games in Greece around 200 B.C. period and spread 
to Rome in Italy. Track and field events began developing 
in parts of Northern Europe in the middle ages. The stone 
put and weight throw competitions popular among Celtic 
societies in Ireland and Scotland were predecessor to the 
modern shot put and hammer throw events. Pole vault is the 
last track and field events which evolved in the eighteenth 
century.
In the late 19th century, modern track and field 
competitions were separated from general sporting festivals 
and were first recorded. These competitions were typically 
organised by educational institutions, military organisations, 
and sports clubs. Competitive hurdling first came into being, 
with the advent of the steeplechase in England around 1850. 
The first national body for the sport of athletics, The Amateur 
Athletic Association (AAA) was established in England in 
1880. Under this grouping, track and field became the focus 
of the annual AAA Championships. The United States also 
began holding an annual national competition. The USA 
outdoor Track and Field Championship was held in 1868 by 
the New York Athletic Club.
The establishment of the modern Olympic Games at the 
end of the nineteenth century marked a new height for track 
and field events. The Olympic athletics programme comprised 
of track and field events including a marathon race.  These 
also contained many of the foremost sporting competitions of 
the 1896 Summer Olympics.
The Olympics also consolidated the use of metric 
measurements in international track and field events, both 
for race distances and for measuring jumps and throws. The 
athletics programme greatly expanded over the next decades 
and remained most prominent among the games. The 
Olympics were the elite competitions for track and field, and 
only amateur sportsmen at that time could compete. Track 
and field continues to be largely an amateur sport.
The International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) was 
established in 1912, becoming the international governing 
body for track and fie ld.
Indian History of Athletics
In the history of Indian Athletics, the decade of 1940’s to 
1950’s is important as a number of Athletics associations 
were started in this decade. In 1946, the Amateur Athletics 
Federation of India (AAFI) was established for the management 
of Indian Athletics. The entire scenario of Indian Athletics 
was changed by AAFI as it worked in collaboration with 
Activity 4.1
Athletics at the 1960 Summer 
Paralympics consisted of 25 
events, 13 for men and 12 for 
women. Prepare the list of 
these events both for men and 
women.
Chap-4.indd   50 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Individual Games 51
the other Athletics associations for improving sports and 
athletics. Indian Athletics went through many phases. Many 
track and field games were played in the grass.
At present synthetic track is used which has made 
things easier as there was no need for manual marking 
of tracks and associated definitions for throws and jumps 
in those tracks. Application of technology has helped the 
athletes and improved the status of the sport. 
India has so far produced a number of successful 
athletes in the international level who have a rich 
tradition of winning performances in the international 
tournaments.
Some of the most successful athletes in the early history 
of Indian Athletics are Milkha Singh, T.C. Yohannan, 
Gurbachan Singh, Sriram Singh, etc. Some of the notable 
Indian Athletes in the contemporary period include P.T. 
Usha, Anju Bobby George, Jyotirmoyee Sikdar, Saraswati 
Saha, Soma Biswas, etc.
Classification of Athletics Events
According to the nature of competitions, athletics events are 
classified into four types. These are—
 Track Events: All running events come under track 
events.
 Field Events: The jumping and throwing events are 
called field events.
 Combined Events: There are some other unique events 
which are called as combined events. These are also 
organised in athletics. In fact, these are the combination 
of some track and field events, such as decathlon, 
heptathlon, etc.
 Events conducted outside the stadium: These events 
are held outside the track, on roads or at natural places; 
for example, Marathon of 42.195 km and 20 and 50 km 
walk.
Classification of Track Events
Track events are classified into three categories. These are—
Table 1: Classification of Track Events
1. Short Distance 
Races
2. Middle 
Distance Races
3. Long 
Distance Races
100 m 800 m 3000 m 
steeplechase
Activity 4.2
Collect information about your 
favourite athletes and share in 
the class.
Chap-4.indd   51 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Health and Physical Education - XI 52
200 m
1500 m
5000 m
400 m 10,000 m
110 m Hurdle Race 
(Men)
20 km walking
100 m Hurdle Race 
(Women)
Road Events
400 m Hurdle Race
4×100 m relay 50 km walking
4×400 m relay Marathon 
(42.195 m)
Classification of Field Events
Field events are classified into two categories — jumping 
events and throwing events. Further these are classified as 
given below:
Table 2: Classification of Field Events
Jumping Events Throwing Events
Long Jump Shot Put
High Jump Discus Throw
Triple Jump Javelin Throw
Pole Vault Hammer Throw
Classification of Combined Events
Combined events are those events which are characterised 
as mixed events from the track as well as field events. For 
men there are mixed events called ‘Decathlon’ and comprised 
of 10 events to be completed within the span of two days. 
Combined track and field events for women are called 
‘Heptathlon’ and are divided into seven events. These mixed 
events are classified below.
Table 3: Classification of Combined Events
Decathlon (Men) Heptathlon (Women)
100 m
1st day
100 m
1st day
Long Jump High Jump
Shot Put Shot Put
High Jump
200 m
400 m
Do You Know?
 • Sebastian Coe from Great 
Britain was one of the world’ s 
greatest athlete winner of 
four medals at Olympic 
Games, and had not taken 
a single day rest between his 
training.
 • Steeplechase — A hurdle 
race with water jumps came 
into existence in England 
around 1850.
Chap-4.indd   52 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Page 5


Ind Iv Idual Games 4
Games and sports are important parts of our lives. They 
are essential to enjoy overall health and well-being. Sports 
and games offer numerous advantages and are thus highly 
recommended for everyone irrespective of their age. Sports 
with individualistic approach characterised with graceful 
skills of players are individual sports. Do you like the idea of 
playing an individual sport and be responsible for your win or 
loss, success or failure? There are various sports that come 
under this category. This chapter will help you to enhance 
your knowledge about Athletics, Badminton, Gymnastics, 
Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis, and Wrestling.
Athletics Running, jumping and throwing are natural and universal 
forms of human physical expression. Track and field events 
are the improved versions of all these. These are among the 
oldest of all sporting competitions. Athletics consist of track 
and field events. In the track events, competitions of races 
of different distances are conducted. The different track and 
field events have their roots in ancient human history.
History
Ancient Olympic Games are the first recorded examples of 
organised track and field events. In 776 B.C., in Olympia, 
Greece, only one event was contested which was known as 
the stadion footrace. The scope of the games expanded in 
later years. Further it included running competitions, but the 
introduction of the Ancient Olympic pentathlon marked a step 
towards track and field as it is recognised today. There were 
five events in pentathlon namely—discus throw, long jump, 
javelin throw, the stadion foot race, and wrestling.
Chap-4.indd   49 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Health and Physical Education - XI 50
Track and field events were also present at the Pan-
Hellenic Games in Greece around 200 B.C. period and spread 
to Rome in Italy. Track and field events began developing 
in parts of Northern Europe in the middle ages. The stone 
put and weight throw competitions popular among Celtic 
societies in Ireland and Scotland were predecessor to the 
modern shot put and hammer throw events. Pole vault is the 
last track and field events which evolved in the eighteenth 
century.
In the late 19th century, modern track and field 
competitions were separated from general sporting festivals 
and were first recorded. These competitions were typically 
organised by educational institutions, military organisations, 
and sports clubs. Competitive hurdling first came into being, 
with the advent of the steeplechase in England around 1850. 
The first national body for the sport of athletics, The Amateur 
Athletic Association (AAA) was established in England in 
1880. Under this grouping, track and field became the focus 
of the annual AAA Championships. The United States also 
began holding an annual national competition. The USA 
outdoor Track and Field Championship was held in 1868 by 
the New York Athletic Club.
The establishment of the modern Olympic Games at the 
end of the nineteenth century marked a new height for track 
and field events. The Olympic athletics programme comprised 
of track and field events including a marathon race.  These 
also contained many of the foremost sporting competitions of 
the 1896 Summer Olympics.
The Olympics also consolidated the use of metric 
measurements in international track and field events, both 
for race distances and for measuring jumps and throws. The 
athletics programme greatly expanded over the next decades 
and remained most prominent among the games. The 
Olympics were the elite competitions for track and field, and 
only amateur sportsmen at that time could compete. Track 
and field continues to be largely an amateur sport.
The International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) was 
established in 1912, becoming the international governing 
body for track and fie ld.
Indian History of Athletics
In the history of Indian Athletics, the decade of 1940’s to 
1950’s is important as a number of Athletics associations 
were started in this decade. In 1946, the Amateur Athletics 
Federation of India (AAFI) was established for the management 
of Indian Athletics. The entire scenario of Indian Athletics 
was changed by AAFI as it worked in collaboration with 
Activity 4.1
Athletics at the 1960 Summer 
Paralympics consisted of 25 
events, 13 for men and 12 for 
women. Prepare the list of 
these events both for men and 
women.
Chap-4.indd   50 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Individual Games 51
the other Athletics associations for improving sports and 
athletics. Indian Athletics went through many phases. Many 
track and field games were played in the grass.
At present synthetic track is used which has made 
things easier as there was no need for manual marking 
of tracks and associated definitions for throws and jumps 
in those tracks. Application of technology has helped the 
athletes and improved the status of the sport. 
India has so far produced a number of successful 
athletes in the international level who have a rich 
tradition of winning performances in the international 
tournaments.
Some of the most successful athletes in the early history 
of Indian Athletics are Milkha Singh, T.C. Yohannan, 
Gurbachan Singh, Sriram Singh, etc. Some of the notable 
Indian Athletes in the contemporary period include P.T. 
Usha, Anju Bobby George, Jyotirmoyee Sikdar, Saraswati 
Saha, Soma Biswas, etc.
Classification of Athletics Events
According to the nature of competitions, athletics events are 
classified into four types. These are—
 Track Events: All running events come under track 
events.
 Field Events: The jumping and throwing events are 
called field events.
 Combined Events: There are some other unique events 
which are called as combined events. These are also 
organised in athletics. In fact, these are the combination 
of some track and field events, such as decathlon, 
heptathlon, etc.
 Events conducted outside the stadium: These events 
are held outside the track, on roads or at natural places; 
for example, Marathon of 42.195 km and 20 and 50 km 
walk.
Classification of Track Events
Track events are classified into three categories. These are—
Table 1: Classification of Track Events
1. Short Distance 
Races
2. Middle 
Distance Races
3. Long 
Distance Races
100 m 800 m 3000 m 
steeplechase
Activity 4.2
Collect information about your 
favourite athletes and share in 
the class.
Chap-4.indd   51 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Health and Physical Education - XI 52
200 m
1500 m
5000 m
400 m 10,000 m
110 m Hurdle Race 
(Men)
20 km walking
100 m Hurdle Race 
(Women)
Road Events
400 m Hurdle Race
4×100 m relay 50 km walking
4×400 m relay Marathon 
(42.195 m)
Classification of Field Events
Field events are classified into two categories — jumping 
events and throwing events. Further these are classified as 
given below:
Table 2: Classification of Field Events
Jumping Events Throwing Events
Long Jump Shot Put
High Jump Discus Throw
Triple Jump Javelin Throw
Pole Vault Hammer Throw
Classification of Combined Events
Combined events are those events which are characterised 
as mixed events from the track as well as field events. For 
men there are mixed events called ‘Decathlon’ and comprised 
of 10 events to be completed within the span of two days. 
Combined track and field events for women are called 
‘Heptathlon’ and are divided into seven events. These mixed 
events are classified below.
Table 3: Classification of Combined Events
Decathlon (Men) Heptathlon (Women)
100 m
1st day
100 m
1st day
Long Jump High Jump
Shot Put Shot Put
High Jump
200 m
400 m
Do You Know?
 • Sebastian Coe from Great 
Britain was one of the world’ s 
greatest athlete winner of 
four medals at Olympic 
Games, and had not taken 
a single day rest between his 
training.
 • Steeplechase — A hurdle 
race with water jumps came 
into existence in England 
around 1850.
Chap-4.indd   52 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25
Individual Games 53
110 m Hurdle
2nd day
Long Jump
2nd day
Discus Throw
Pole Vault Javelin Throw
Javelin Throw
800 m
1500 m
General Rules
These are some of the general rules which need to be followed 
by every athlete during the events. 
 • The athlete should run with shoes.
 • There should be a number on the chest and back of 
every athlete. No athlete can participate without the 
number. Only in the games of Pole Vault and High 
Jump, an athlete can bear one number.
 • If an athlete runs before the gun is fired, it is considered 
as a foul and is expelled from the event. Only in the 
combined events, the athlete is given a warning for first 
foul, but on the second foul, the athlete is expelled from 
the game.
 • The starter speaks in English at the time of start.
 • If any athlete obstructs the other athlete, then the 
referee can expel that athlete.
 • In the races up to 400 m, all the athletes have to finish 
them in the same lane allotted to them.
 • 800 m race starts in lanes but lanes are changed to 
first lane after the first curve.
Athletics Track
A track is formed by two straight lines and two curved lines. 
It is oval shaped. Track surface can be of soil, grass, or 
synthetic. In the national and international competitions, 
the synthetic tracks, which are also known as all-weather 
tracks are used. In all races up to and including 400 m, each 
athlete has a separate lane, with a width of 1.22 m to 1.25 m 
to be marked by lines 5 cm in width.
Methods of starting the Race
Each race is started with a starting gun. The main two types 
of start are—
 Crouch Start: This type of start is essential for sprint 
races. Starting block is used in this start, so the athlete 
can better use their reaction, speed, and explosive power.
Activity 4.3
Collect the information about 
the events under ‘Decathlon’ 
and ‘Heptathlon’, which are to 
be completed on the first day 
of the competition and on the 
second day of competition.
Chap-4.indd   53 31-07-2020   15:26:11
2024-25