🏛️ Origins of Athletics
Athletics is the oldest organized sport. In the Ancient Olympic Games, running was the only event in the first 13 Games. The first and only event — the stadium race (192 m). Later, longer races, the pentathlon, wrestling and boxing were added.
Modern athletics took shape in 19th-century England. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF, now — World Athletics) was founded in 1912. Athletics is the foundation of the Olympic Games — it accounts for the largest number of events in the Olympic program.
📋 Main Athletics Events
Running
Sprints (100-400 m), middle distances (800-3000 m), long distances (5000 m+, marathon), hurdles, relays.
Jumps
Long jump, high jump, triple jump, pole vault. They combine speed, strength and technique.
Throws
Shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, hammer throw. They require explosive power.
Combined Events
Men's decathlon and women's heptathlon — a test of the most versatile athletes over two days.
📊 Evolution of World Records
| Event | World record (men) | Athlete | World record (women) | Athlete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 m | 9,58 s (2009) | Usain Bolt | 10,49 s (1988) | Florence Griffith-Joyner |
| Marathon | 2:00:35 (2023) | Kelvin Kiptum | 2:11:53 (2023) | Tigst Assefa |
| High Jump | 2,45 m (1993) | Javier Sotomayor | 2,09 m (1987) | Stefka Kostadinova |
| Shot Put | 23,56 m (2023) | Ryan Crouser | 22,63 m (1987) | Natalya Lisovskaya |
| Pole Vault | 6,25 m (2024) | Armand Duplantis | 5,06 m (2009) | Yelena Isinbayeva |
🌟 Legendary Track and Field Athletes
Usain Bolt
"Fastest man in the world". 8 Olympic golds, 3 world records (100 m, 200 m, 4×100 m). He ran 100 m in 9.58 s — at 37.6 km/h.
Emil Zátopek
"The Czech Locomotive." In 1952 in Helsinki he won the 5000 m, 10000 m and the marathon — an incredible triple gold at a single Games.
Carl Lewis
9 Olympic golds. Dominated in sprinting and long jump from 1984-1996. One of the most versatile athletes in history.
Paavo Nurmi
"The Flying Finn". 9 Olympic golds 1920-1928. 22 world records in distances from 1500 m to 20 km.
🇱🇹 Lithuanian Athletics
Athletics in Lithuania is one of the most successful sports. The first Olympic medal in post-independence Lithuania was won in 1992 by discus thrower Romas Ubartas (gold). Virgilijus Alekna — two-time Olympic champion (2000, 2004) and two-time world champion in discus throw. Austra Skujytė — 2004 Athens Olympic silver medalist in heptathlon.
Other notable track and field athletes: Diana Zagainova (triple jump), Andrius Gudžius (discus throw, 2017 world champion), Airinė Palšytė (high jump), Liveta Jasiūnaitė (javelin throw).