physical ed essay
Physical Education
What is track and field?
Participating in athletic sports performed on a running track or on the field associated with it.
The history of track and field
Track and field is one of the oldest sports. Athletic contests were often held in conjunction with religious festivals, as with the OLYMPIC GAMES of ancient Greece. For 11 centuries, starting in 776 BC, these affairs--for men only--were enormously popular events. During the Middle Ages organized track and field all but disappeared. The true development of track and field as a modern sport started in England during the 19th century. English public school and university students gave the sport impetus through their interclass meets, or meetings as they are still called in Britain, and in 1849 the Royal Military Academy held the first organized track and field meet of modern times.
Not until the 1860s, however, did the sport flourish. In 1866 the first English championships were held by the newly formed Amateur Athletic Club, which opened the competition to all "gentlemen amateurs"--specifically, athletes who received no financial compensation for their efforts. In 1896 the first modern Olympic Games were staged. Although initially of limited appeal, the Olympics captured the imagination of athletes and grew steadily, making track and field an international sport for the first time. In 1913 the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) was formed by representatives from 16 countries. The IAAF was charged with establishing standard rules for the sport, approving world records, and ensuring that the amateur code was adhered to; it continues to carry out these duties today. The participation of women in track and field is a relatively recent development. In 1921 representatives from six countries formed an athletic federation for women, which merged with the IAAF in 1936. Participation by women has grown rapidly in many countries in recent years, particularly in the
What is track and field?
Participating in athletic sports performed on a running track or on the field associated with it.
The history of track and field
Track and field is one of the oldest sports. Athletic contests were often held in conjunction with religious festivals, as with the OLYMPIC GAMES of ancient Greece. For 11 centuries, starting in 776 BC, these affairs--for men only--were enormously popular events. During the Middle Ages organized track and field all but disappeared. The true development of track and field as a modern sport started in England during the 19th century. English public school and university students gave the sport impetus through their interclass meets, or meetings as they are still called in Britain, and in 1849 the Royal Military Academy held the first organized track and field meet of modern times.
Not until the 1860s, however, did the sport flourish. In 1866 the first English championships were held by the newly formed Amateur Athletic Club, which opened the competition to all "gentlemen amateurs"--specifically, athletes who received no financial compensation for their efforts. In 1896 the first modern Olympic Games were staged. Although initially of limited appeal, the Olympics captured the imagination of athletes and grew steadily, making track and field an international sport for the first time. In 1913 the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) was formed by representatives from 16 countries. The IAAF was charged with establishing standard rules for the sport, approving world records, and ensuring that the amateur code was adhered to; it continues to carry out these duties today. The participation of women in track and field is a relatively recent development. In 1921 representatives from six countries formed an athletic federation for women, which merged with the IAAF in 1936. Participation by women has grown rapidly in many countries in recent years, particularly in the