arena

Field designed for participating in track and field and for staging competitions; it is often surrounded by grandstands for seating spectators.

landing area

Area where the shot or javelin falls after the throw.

lane

Long narrow strip bordered by white lines and reserved for a runner or team during a race.

110 m hurdles starting line

steeplechase hurdle jump

Track event held on a 3,000 m circuit that includes artificial obstacles (hurdles, water jumps), which the runners are required to clear.

long jump and triple jump

Track and field event that requires jumping as far as possible from a given point (long jump) or taking several strides before jumping (triple jump).

takeover zone

Area in which the runners on a relay team pass the baton to the next runner.

scoreboard

Display surface posting information related to a sporting event in progress (time, standings, results, etc.).

shot put

Event in which athletes throw a heavy ball (12 pounds or 7.257 kg for men and 8.8 pounds or 4 kg for women) as far as possible.

5,000 m starting line

200 m starting line

100 m and 100 m hurdles starting line

pole vault

Athletic event in which a pole is used to vault over the highest possible crossbar.

throwing circle

Area where the athlete winds up to throw the shot; the thrower may not leave this area before the shot touches the ground.

track

Oval circuit designed to hold races such as sprints, hurdles and relays.

1,500 m starting line

400 m, 400 m hurdles, 4 x 100 m relay starting line

800 m starting line

10,000 m and 4 x 400 m relay starting line

finish line

Line marking the end of a race.

approach

Track that the athlete uses to build up momentum before a javelin throw.

discus and hammer throw

Disciplines in which athletes attempt to throw a discus (2 kg for men and 1 kg for women) or hammer (16 lbs or 7.257 kg for men and 4 kg for women) as far as possible.

safety cage

Wire fence bordering the throwing circle; it protects the spectators, competitors and officials in the event of a missed throw.

throwing circle

Area where the athlete winds up to throw the discus or hammer; the athlete may not leave this area before the object touches the ground.

javelin throw

Discipline in which athletes attempt to throw a javelin (800 g for men and 600 g for women) as far as possible.

high jump

Athletic event that requires jumping as high as possible to clear a horizontal bar, relying solely on leg thrust.