Editing Track and field (section)

===Outdoor===
[[File:Pista di atletica.svg|thumb|A typical layout of an outdoor track and field stadium]]
[[File:Track and field facilities around football field.webp|thumb|Track and field facilities layout around a football field for high school or college]]
The term ''track and field'' is intertwined with the [[stadium]]s that first hosted such competitions. The two basic features of a track and field stadium are the outer oval-shaped [[running track]] and an area of [[lawn|turf]] within this track—the [[Playing field|field]]. In earlier competitions, track lengths varied: the [[Panathinaiko Stadium]] measured 333.33&nbsp;metres at the [[1896 Summer Olympics]], while at the [[1904 Olympics]] the distance was a third of a [[mile]] (536.45&nbsp;m) at [[Francis Field (St. Louis)|Francis Field]]. As the sport developed, the IAAF standardised the length to 400&nbsp;m and stated that the tracks must be split into six to eight running lanes. Precise widths for the lanes were established, as were regulations regarding the curvature of the track. Tracks made of flattened [[Cinder track|cinder]]s were popular in the early 20th century but [[synthetic fiber|synthetic]] tracks became standard in the late 1960s. [[3M]]'s [[Tartan track]] (an [[all-weather running track]] of [[polyurethane]]) gained popularity after its use at the 1968 [[United States Olympic Trials (track and field)|US Olympic Trials]] and the [[1968 Summer Olympics]] and it began the process in which synthetic tracks became the standard for the sport. Many track and field stadiums are [[multi-purpose stadium]]s, with the running track surrounding a field built for other sports, such as the various types of [[football]].

The field of the stadium combines a number of elements for use in the jumping and throwing events. The [[long jump]] and [[triple jump]] areas comprise a straight, narrow 40-metre running track with a [[sandpit]] at one or both ends. Jumps are measured from a take off board—typically a small strip of [[wood]] with a [[plasticine]] marker attached—which ensures athletes jump from behind the measurement line. The [[pole vault]] area is also a 40-metre running track and has an indentation in the ground (the box) where vaulters plant their poles to propel themselves over a crossbar before falling onto cushioned [[landing mat]]s. The [[high jump]] is a stripped-down version of this, with an open area of track or field that leads to a crossbar with a square area of landing mats behind it.

The four throwing events generally all begin on one side of the stadium. The [[javelin throw]] typically takes place on a piece of track that is central and parallel to the [[Straight (racing)|straights]] of the main running track. The javelin throwing area is a [[Circular sector|sector]] shape frequently across the Pitch (sports field) in the middle of the stadium, ensuring that the javelin has a minimal chance of causing damage or injury. The [[discus throw]] and [[hammer throw]] contests begin in a tall metal cage usually situated in one of the corners of the field. The cage reduces the danger of implements being thrown out of the field of play and throws travel diagonally across the field in the centre of the stadium. The [[shot put]] features a circular throwing area with a toe board at one end. The throwing area is a [[Circular sector|sector]]. Some stadia also have a [[water jump]] area on one side of the field specifically for [[steeplechase (athletics)|steeplechase]] races.