The heptathlon is an event for women.
There are seven events in the heptathlon.
The events happen over two days.
There are four events on day one and three events on day two.
An athlete who competes in the heptathlon is called a heptathlete.
The word 'heptathlon' comes from two Greek words: hepta (seven) and athlon (contest).
In 1984, javelin throw and an 800 metre run were added to the women's pentathlon and it became the heptathlon. The competitors are called ‘heptathletes’.
A heptathlete leaping over a hurdle in the hurdles race. ©Jupiter Images
Day One
The first day begins with a one hundred metre hurdles race. The heptathletes run, jumping over a number of hurdles as they go.
This is followed by a discus throw.
The picture shows the way a discus is held before it is thrown. (©Jupiter Images)
The next event is the high jump. The athletes run, taking big steps, and then jump as high as they can to try and get over a bar that is placed very high, balanced on two poles. The athletes curl over the bar without bumping it and land on a special landing mat.
The javelin is thrown overarm, it is held on a handgrip with little finger nearest the tip of the javelin. ©Jupiter Images
The javelin throw is next. A woman’s javelin is a 2.5 metre (8ft 2 in) long spear, weighing 600g. The athletes grip the javelin on a handhold of cord, with the little finger (pinkie) nearest the point. For the throw to be acceptable, the athlete must not turn her back to the landing area at any stage during her run up and throw. The javelin must land tip first and within the marked area.The throw is measured from where the tip lands.
Runners in the blocks ready for the start signal of their race. ©Jupiter images
The last event of the day is a 200 metre run.
Day Two
The long jump ends in the sand pit. ©Getty
The second day begins with the long jump. The athletes run along a runway to a take off board, and jump. They stretch their arms and legs as they try to get as far as they can. They land in sand.
The shot is held on the shoulder and is thrown in a pushing movement. ©Jupiter
The shot put is next. The athletes hold a metal ball, called a shot, resting against their shoulder. They turn in a circle marked on the ground, crouch and push the shot as hard as they can. It goes through the air and lands on the ground. Judges measure how far it has travelled.
The heptathlon finishes with an 800 metre run, which is twice around the track.
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Read more about Heptathlon
https://www.worldathletics.org/disciplines/combined-events/heptathlon