ATHLETICS 

   

   Track and Field, term denoting a group of athletic events held as contests between individuals
   or teams at both indoor and outdoor meets. The basic categories of the sport are track events,
   comprising runs and walks, and field events, which include jumps and throws. Running events,
   which constitute the largest number of track and field sports, range from the indoor 50-m dash
   to the outdoor marathon, covering 42 km 195 m.

  Track events

               I           DASHES  
   The shortest and swiftest running events are dashes, also known as sprints.
   Runners may employ various strategies during dashes. In a 400-m contest a runner may achieve
   top speed in the first 200 m, "coast" or "float" for another 150 m, then finish the race in a
   final burst of speed.

               II         HURDLING

   Hurdling events are dashes in which competitors must clear a series of ten metal and wood (or
   metal and plastic) barriers called hurdles. Good hurdling form requires leaning far forward
   and clearing each barrier smoothly without breaking the rhythm of the running stride. Running
   speed, flexibility, and excellent coordination are important elements of success.

               III        MIDDLE-DISTANCE RUNS
   Races ranging from 600 m to 3000 m are known as middle-distance events. The most popular
   distances are the 800-m, 1500-m, and 3000-m runs. Competitors in the longer middle-distance
   runs must regulate their speed carefully in order to avoid premature exhaustion. Some
   middle-distance runners change their speed several times during a race, while others maintain
   an even pace throughout.

                IV       DISTANCE RUNS 

   Runs longer than 3000 m are considered distance events. In the running style employed by the
   best distance runners, any excess motion is avoided. The knee action is slight, arm movements
   are reduced to a minimum, and the strides are shorter than those used in sprinting or
   middle-distance running. The most exhausting distance runs include the cross-country and
   marathon races.

               V         RELAYS 

   Relay races are events for teams of four in which an athlete runs a given distance, called a
   leg, then passes a baton to the succeeding team member. In the 400- and 800-m relays the
   passer places the baton in the hand of the receiver while the receiver is facing forward. The
   receiver then continues the race. If the legs of a relay race vary in length, for example 800,
   200, 200, and 400 m, the contest is called a medley relay.

               VI        STEEPLECHASE 

   The steeplechase is an obstacle race, usually run over a 3000-m course containing hurdles,
   water jumps, and other hazards.

                  VII        WALKS 

   The walking events are usually held for distances ranging from 1500 to 50,000 m and are
   especially popular at meets in the United States. In race walking, the heel of the forward
   foot must touch the track before the toe of the trailing foot leaves the ground. The rule is
   designed to prevent the contestants from running.

TASKS:

   1. What running strategies do runners employ in dashes, middle and long distance runs?     

   

   2. Match the words on the left with their collocations on the right:

   Avoid

   Even

   Achieve

   Clear

   Lean

   Pass

   Running

   Medley

   Hurdles

   Baton

   Relay

   Pace

   Exhaustion

   Top speed

   Forward

   Stride

   

   

   

Field events

   HIGH JUMP
   POLE VAULT

   LONG JUMP 

   TRIPLE JUMP 

   SHOT PUT 

   DISCUS THROW 

   HAMMER THROW

   JAVELIN THROW 

   DECATHLON AND HEPTATHLON  

   TASKS:

   

   1. Name the events combined in decathlon and heptathlon.

   

   2. Which of the field events above are we probably talking about?

   

   a) The aim is to cover the greatest distance possible in a series of three quick leaps.

   b) The contestant is allowed three attempts to clear each height.

   c) The athlete's performance in the various events is rated against an ideal score of 10,000
   points.

   d) Throwers compete by hurling a heavy ball attached to a length of wire that has a metal
   handle.

   e) While still in the air the jumper throws both feet far forward of the body to increase the
   distance and to prepare to land.

   f) The thrower typically takes an initial stance facing away from the direction of the throw.
   S/He then spins around one and a half times through the circle to build momentum, then
   releases the throw.

   g) At the end of the throw, the thrower must push the throwing arm straight from the neck,
   pushing the ball off the fingertips.

   h) The contestants grasp the spear near its centre of gravity and sprint toward a check line.