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===Gender equality===
===Gender equality===
In the mid-twentieth century, [[women]] competed in far fewer events than [[men]]. Gradually, women have been allowed to do more and more, until in the 2008 Olympics in [[Beijing]] the only differences were running 100 m rather than 110 m in the sprint hurdles, and competing in the heptathlon rather than the decathlon (the women's shot, discus, javelin and hammer are also lighter than the men's). Some of the last events to be added were pole vault, hammer and steeplechase.
In the mid-twentieth century, [[women]] competed in far fewer events than [[men]]. Gradually, women have been allowed to do more and more, until in the 2008 Olympics in [[Beijing]] the only differences were running 100 m rather than 110 m in the sprint hurdles, and competing in the heptathlon rather than the decathlon (the women's shot, discus, javelin and hammer are also lighter than the men's). Some of the last events to be added were pole vault, hammer and steeplechase.
== Structure of competition ==
Different athletics events are structured differently:
* In running and hurdles events, multiple competitors race each other at the same time, and the winner is the one who completes the specified distance quickest. The number of competitors in shorter events (up to 800 m) is limited to the number of lanes on the track (usually eight), so more than one round may be needed.
* In throwing events, long jump and triple jump, athletes compete one at a time. Each has a number of attempts (usually six), and counts their longest distance only. The person who throws or jumps the furthest in a single attempt is the winner.
* In high jump and pole vault, the bar is placed at increasing heights, and athletes can choose to pass or attempt to clear each height. Those who fail three attempts in a row are out of the contest, and the winner is the person who clears the highest height. In the event of a tie, the winner is the jumper with fewest failed attempts over the course of the contest.
== Controversy ==
== Controversy ==