Science of sports
Edit Watch this page Read in another language Sport of athletics For the collection of competitive sports and games requiring physical skill, see Athletics (physical culture) . For other uses, see Athletics (disambiguation) . Athletics is a collection of sporting events that involve competitive running , jumping , throwing , and walking . [1] The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field , road running , cross country running , and race walking . Athletics Highest governing body IAAF Characteristics Mixed gender Yes Type Outdoor or indoor Presence Olympic Present since inaugural 1896 Olympics Paralympic Present since inaugural 1960 Paralympics The results of racing events are decided by finishing position (or time, where measured), while the jumps and throws are won by the athlete that achieves the highest or furthest mea...