Multisportevent

Multisportevent is a competition format that combines two or more sports within a single program. It can refer to events that stage several independent sports under one umbrella, or to multi-discipline contests in which athletes compete across several distinct disciplines as part of one title.

Two common formats exist. In multi-discipline events such as the decathlon, pentathlon, and heptathlon, competitors accumulate points across different trials and an overall score determines the winner. In broader multisport programs, athletes may win medals in individual sports, with the event’s overall results often based on medal counts or a combined points system across disciplines.

Examples of large multisport events include the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games, the Pan American Games, and the Universiade, all of which feature dozens of sports over a shared competition period. Within individual sports, multi-discipline formats illustrate the concept, such as triathlon (swimming, cycling, running) and modern pentathlon (fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting, running).

Governance and organization for multisportevents typically involve international or continental sport federations coordinating with a central body, such as the International Olympic Committee for the Games. Rules and scoring are sport-specific, but scheduling and venue management are harmonized to accommodate multiple disciplines. The multisport event format has historical roots in ancient competitions and has evolved into a cornerstone of international sport, emphasizing versatility, breadth, and broad spectator interest.