Track and field, also known as athletics or track and field athletics, is a collection of sports events which involve field events, track events, road running, race walking, cross country running and decathlon. Field events are measured by height and distance whereas track events are measured by time.

The original event at the first Olympics in 776 BC was a foot race run on a track. Track and field was included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 where track events such as walking, running, jumping and throwing are the major events. Women were first allowed to participate at the Games of the II Olympiad held in 1900 in Paris, France.