What is the heptathlon?

Answer 1

A heptathlon is a multidisciplinary event in which competitors compete for points. The winner is the person with the most points.

There are seven disciplines; these are the 100m hurdles, high hump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin throw and 800m.

Answer 2

The ancient Greek pentathlon consisted of five events: discus, javelin, long jump, a foot-race which was most likely a stade long, and Wrestling. Of these five events, the first three belonged solely to the pentathlon while running and wrestling were also separate events in and of themselves.

Answer 3

A pentathlon is a competition where there are five track and field events.

A pentathalon is a competition comprised of 5 different events (hence the "penta" prefix in the name) - just like a decathalon is comprised of 10 different event.

The ancient pentathlon's five events were stadion (a short foot race), wrestling, which were also held as separate events, and the long jump, javelin throw, and discus throw.

The modern pentathlon is a sports contest that includes five events: pistol shooting, epee Fencing, 200 m freestyle swimming, show jumping, and a 3 km cross country running race. Points are scored in each event based on overall performance rather than relative to other competitors except in fencing where they compete against each other. Highest point total wins.