athlétisme

Athlétisme is the French term for athletics, a broad category of competitive sporting events that are based on running, jumping, and throwing. These activities are the fundamental elements of modern sports and have a long history, tracing back to ancient Olympic Games. The sport is governed internationally by World Athletics, formerly known as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Athlétisme encompasses a wide range of disciplines. Track events involve running races over various distances, from short sprints like the 100 meters to endurance races such as the marathon. Hurdles and steeplechase are also track events that add obstacles to the running course. Field events are divided into jumping and throwing disciplines. Jumping events include the long jump, triple jump, high jump, and pole vault, where athletes aim to achieve maximum distance or height. Throwing events involve propelling objects like javelins, discus, shot puts, and hammers as far as possible. Combined events, such as the decathlon for men and heptathlon for women, test an athlete's versatility by requiring them to compete in a series of different track and field disciplines.

Athlétisme competitions are held at various levels, from local school events to major international championships like the Olympic Games and the World Athletics Championships. It is a sport that demands a combination of speed, strength, endurance, agility, and technical skill. Athletes train rigorously to improve their performance in their chosen discipline, often specializing from a young age. The popularity of athlétisme lies in its universal appeal and the clear, measurable nature of its events.