Which events make up the decathlon and the heptathlon, and in what order?
B · Beginner · The events and the points · 1 of 2The men's decathlon is ten events over two days: 100 m, long jump, shot put, high jump and 400 m, then 110 m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500 m. The women's heptathlon is seven: 100 m hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200 m, then long jump, javelin and 800 m. The most points wins.
How it works
| Day one | Day two | |
|---|---|---|
| Men's decathlon | 100 m, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400 m | 110 m hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, 1500 m |
| Women's heptathlon | 100 m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 m | Long jump, javelin throw, 800 m |
- The order is fixed: the rule lists the events "in the following order". Organisers do not rearrange them.
- Two days: each is held on "two consecutive 24-hour periods".
- One athlete, every event: the same athlete does all of them. Each performance earns points from a table.
- The winner: the athlete with the highest total of points.
- Each event keeps its own rules: a combined event long jump is a long jump. A short list of exceptions is set out in the rule and has its own pages in this set.
- Who the heptathlon is for: the rule gives it to under-20 and senior women, and to under-18 women in the same order.
Tricky cases
Can the organisers move the pole vault to day one because of the weather forecast?
No. The events are held in the order the rule sets.
Does an athlete have to win any single event to win the decathlon?
No. Only the total of points matters.
Is the 1500 m always last in the decathlon?
Yes. It is the fifth event of the second day.
Do decathletes use lighter implements or lower hurdles than specialists?
No. Nothing in the combined events rule changes the implements or the hurdles. Each event follows its own rules apart from the listed exceptions.
Why the rule exists
A fixed order makes one decathlon comparable with another, since every athlete in history has met the events in the same sequence and with the same tiredness. The order also spreads the load. Runs, jumps and throws alternate. Each day ends with its longest race, when nothing is left to save energy for.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 39.2; TR 39.3; TR 39.5 |
| Women's decathlon | May use the men's order or a second order of its own | TR 39.4 |
| Men's pentathlon | Five events on one day | TR 39.1 |
| Indoor combined events | Different events. They are in the short track part of the rules, which was not read for this set | Part V |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 39.2, 39.3, 39.5, 39.8 and 39.11. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).