How many events are there in the men's decathlon? The answer is 10.
The decathlon is a two-day combined athletics competition made up of four running events, three jumps, and three throws. The men's standard program includes the 100 metres, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400 metres, 110-metre hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1500 metres. Athletes receive points for each performance, and the highest combined score wins.
The modern decathlon first appeared in the Olympic athletics program at the 1912 Stockholm Games. Jim Thorpe won that Olympic competition and became associated with the phrase “the world's greatest athlete,” although his results were later affected by an eligibility dispute before his status was restored.
The name comes from Greek roots meaning “ten contests.” It is often confused with the heptathlon, which has seven events and is the standard combined event for women at major championships. The order also matters: the decathlon begins with sprinting and ends with the demanding 1500 metres.