Women's Pentathlon - History

History

The women's pentathlon was contested in the Olympics from 1964 until 1980 (five editions), and it was replaced in the 1984 Summer Olympics with the heptathlon. At the European Athletics Championships from 1950 ti 1978 (nione edition) and never at the World Athletics Championships, because from the 1st edition was disputed heptathlon.

Women's pentathlon had a different set of events than the ancient Olympic pentathlon. The events were shot put, high jump, a hurdling race, sprint and long jump. Pentathlon is sometimes contested instead of heptathlon even today because of facility limitations. Indoor arenas are incapable of hosting events such as the javelin throw. The events in indoor pentathlon are 60 metre hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and 800 metres. The current world record belongs to Nataliya Dobrynska, who scored 5013 points on 9 March 2012 at the World Indoor Championships held in Istanbul.

The pentathlon is also common in high school athletics. It is simply a smaller version of the decathlon or a heptathlon. For girls, it is 100 m high hurdles, long jump, shot put, high jump, and an 800 m run. The pentathlon is used because it is less stressful on the athletes than a full multi and because many high school meets only last one day, it allows the event to be contested in the time limit.

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