Atlétikán

Atlétikán, or athletics in the Hungarian usage, refers to the broad sport category that combines running, jumping, throwing and related track and field disciplines. It is typically organized around a standard 400-meter track and adjacent field facilities, with events designed to test speed, endurance, strength and technical proficiency. The sport encompasses sprints, middle- and long-distance running, hurdles, relays, jumps (long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault), throws (shot put, discus, hammer, javelin) and combined events (decathlon for men, heptathlon for women). Indoor athletics adds a separate set of events adapted to smaller venues.

Governing bodies and structure: World Athletics is the global governing federation for athletics, formerly known as the IAAF, and coordinates international competition, records and rules. Continental bodies such as European Athletics oversee regional activities, while national federations administer the sport within individual countries. The sport operates a mix of championships, circuits and meetings, with top athletes competing in multiple events and formats.

Competitions and venues: Major international competitions include the Olympic Games and the World Athletics Championships, along with World Indoor Championships and various continental championships. Professional circuits and meetings, such as the Diamond League, provide annual top-level competition across several events. National championships and club competitions serve as development pathways for athletes from junior to elite levels.

History and scope: Modern athletics has roots in 19th-century track and field competitions in Europe, culminating in the standardized events and rules used today. The sport emphasizes precise measurement (times, distances, wind conditions) and, in contemporary practice, includes governance around safety, ethics and anti-doping. Atlétikán remains a core component of international sport, attracting participants from grassroots clubs to Olympic-level competitors.