Heptathlon, << hehp TATH lon, >> is a two-day women’s track and field contest that consists of seven events. The same athletes compete in all the events. Events are held in this order: 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter dash, long jump, javelin throw, and 800-meter run. The first four events are held the first day and the last three, on the second day. Competitors receive points for their performance in each event. The athlete with the highest total number of points wins. For many years, women competed in a five-event contest called the pentathlon. In 1981, two events were added, and the competition was renamed the heptathlon.
