The Olympic men’s decathlon consists of ten track-and-field events.
The competition is held over two days. The first day includes the 100 metres, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400 metres. The second day includes the 110-metre hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1500 metres. Athletes receive points for each performance, and the highest combined total wins.
The decathlon tests sprinting, jumping, throwing, and endurance rather than one single athletic specialty. Its scoring tables convert performances into points, so an athlete does not simply win by collecting the most individual event victories. The modern Olympic decathlon was introduced at the 1912 Stockholm Games. Women’s combined-event equivalent at major championships is the heptathlon, which contains seven events and is also contested across two days. The decathlon’s broad demands have led to its winner sometimes being called the “world’s greatest athlete,” although that phrase is promotional rather than an official title.