Group/Combined Events – JSS3 Physical & Health Education Lesson Note (Second Term)

TOPIC: COMBINED EVENTS

Combined events are a combination of various track and field events. It started during the ancient Olympic Games to test the all-around athletic ability of the competitors.

There are three types of combined events. These are: 

1. Decathlon (for men)
2. Heptathlon (for both men and women)
3. Pentathlon (for women)

 Decathlon: The term “decathlon” is a Greek term that means “ten test.” The decathlon consists of ten athletics events. They are events mainly for men. They are held on two consecutive days. Points are awarded for each event to find the best all-around athlete. An athlete that competes in a decathlon is called a decathlete.

List of events in modern  decathlon 

First day:                                                     Second day:

(i)                             100m hurdle                       b (i) 110m hurdle

(ii)                           High jump                             (ii) Discus

(iii)                         Shot put                                 (iii) Pole vault

(iv)                          Long jump                               (iv) Javelin

(v)                            400m race                                 (v) 1,500m race

Scoring in combined events

The score is calculated by calculating the number of medals won in order of importance such as gold, silver, and bronze.

Winning: The competitor with the highest score  (points) total at the end of all events is the winner.

 Pentathlon: The term “Pentathlon” is a Greek term that means “five test.”The pentathlon consists of five athletics events. An athlete who competes in a pentathlon event is called a pentathlete. They are events mainly for women. They shall be held in one day in the following order:

Long jump

Javelin throw

200m race

Discus throw

1,500m race

 Heptathlon: The term “Heptathlon” is a Greek term that means “seven tests” The heptathlon consists of seven athletics events. They are events mainly for women. They shall be held on two consecutive days in the following order.

 Day one                                                                   Day Two

100m race                                                           Long jump

High jump                                                               Javelin

Shot put                                                                   800m race

200m race

The scoring

The winners of the events are determined by the combined performance in all. Performance is judged on a point in each event, not by the position achieved.