specifically: a composite contest that consists of the 100-meter, 400-meter, and 1500-meter runs, the 110-meter high hurdles, the javelin and discus throws, shot put, pole vault, high jump, and long jump
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Decathlon from deca- and athlon, "contest", means "ten contests". The ancient Greek Olympics held five-contest competitions, or pentathlons, that were based on the skills needed in battle. The modern Olympic decathlon, which was born in 1912, consists of the 100-meter run, 400-meter run, 1500-meter run, 110-meter high hurdles, javelin throw, discus throw, shot put, pole vault, high jump, and long jump. The original winner was the legendary Jim Thorpe, who would later be judged the greatest American athlete of the 20th century. And ever since, the Olympic decathlon winner has been called the finest all-around athlete in the world.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebCaitlyn Jenner, who won gold in the decathlon in 1976, came out as trans in 2015, while the Canadian soccer player Quinn came out as trans and non-binary last year — not long before winning a gold medal with the Canadian women’s soccer team. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Aug. 2022 Dan O’Brien wins gold in the decathlon, four years after failing to make the U.S. Olympic team. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2022 After years of competing at an international level, American Zachery Ziemek earned bronze in the decathlon with a stirring, empty-the-tank effort in the 1,500-meter run that concluded the 10-event, two-day event. Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 26 July 2022 The next event in the decathlon, the long jump, is scheduled for 10:10 a.m.oregonlive, 23 July 2022 With individual event victories in the pole vault and javelin, France’s Kevin Mayer won his second World Athletics Championships decathlon gold medal Sunday at Hayward Field in Eugene.oregonlive, 24 July 2022 At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Chris Huffins ran the closing 1,500 meters in the fastest time of his life, securing a bronze medal in the decathlon. David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 23 July 2022 Owens-Delerme will compete in the decathlon at the World Championships for Puerto Rico. Bob Holt, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2022 Ayden Owens-Delerme of Arkansas leads the decathlon after five events with 4,490 points. Ken Goe For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 8 June 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
French décathlon, from déca- deca- + -athlon (as in pentathlon)