Editing Track and field (section)

==Events==
{{See also|List of athletics events}}
Track and field events are divided into three categories: track events, field events and combined events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Track and Field the Sport |url=https://www.topendsports.com/sport/list/track-and-field.htm#:~:text=Events%20of%20track%20and%20field,pentathlon,%20heptathlon,%20and%20decathlon. |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=www.topendsports.com |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608184843/https://www.topendsports.com/sport/list/track-and-field.htm#:~:text=Events%20of%20track%20and%20field,pentathlon,%20heptathlon,%20and%20decathlon. |url-status=live }}</ref> The majority of athletes tend to specialize in one event type with the aim of perfecting their performances, although the aim of combined events athletes is to become proficient in a number of disciplines. Track events involve running on a track over specified distances, and—in the case of the [[hurdling]] and [[steeplechase (athletics)|steeplechase]] events—surmounting obstacles. There are also [[relay race]]s in which teams of athletes run and pass on a [[baton (running)|baton]] to their team members at the end of a certain distance.

There are two types of field events: jumps and throws. In jumping competitions, athletes are judged on either the length or height of the jumps. The performances of jumping events for distance are measured from a board or marker, and overstepping this mark is judged as a foul. In the jumps for height, an athlete must clear their body over a crossbar without knocking the bar off the supporting standards. The majority of jumping events are unaided, although athletes propel themselves vertically with purpose-built sticks in the [[pole vault]].

The throwing events involve hurling an implement (such as a heavyweight, javelin or discus) from a set point, with athletes being judged on the distance that the object is thrown. Combined events involve the same group of athletes contesting a number of different track and field events. Points are given for their performance in each event and the athlete or team with the highest score at the end of all events is the winner.

The number of professional athletes and notability of performance between male and female athletes has progressed to almost equal in running events.  Events, such as throwing, that were added later for female athletes has also drastically increased in presence and performance.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Frick |first=Bernd |date=January 2025 |title=Gender Differences in the Concentration of Individual Performance: Evidence From Track and Field Athletics |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15270025241279191 |journal=Journal of Sports Economics |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=35–54 |doi=10.1177/15270025241279191 |issn=1527-0025|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

{{track and field event box|Relay=4 by 200 m relay}}