Track and field is the term for sporting events which are contests in running, throwing or jumping. The noun track and field is derived from the fact that these contests normally occur inside a stadium on a track or on the adjacent field, it is primarily a North American term. Track and field events consist of foot races, relay races, shot put, pole vaulting and many other individual and team contests. Today’s track and field events have their roots in Ancient Greece. Modern track and field events began in Britain in the early 1800s, promoted mostly by institutions of higher education.
Athletics is the term for sporting events which are contests in running, throwing, or jumping, it is primarily a British, New Zealand and Australian term. The word athletics is derived from the Greek word athlon, which means contest.
Examples
Pat Henry, head coach of the Texas A&M track and field program, said the program’s large representation is something he is “extremely pleased with.” (The Bryan-College Station Eagle)
Waco’s Bob Richards, the only two-time Olympic gold medalist in the pole vault, is among seven living track and field legends who will be honored. (The Waco Tribune)
The LSU commit then went on to win the event at the New Balance Nationals, and was later named the Gatorade New York Track and Field Athlete of the Year. (The Poughkeepsie Journal)
Media have alleged that the manager of Kenya’s Olympic athletics team wanted bribes to protect cheating athletes. (Deutsche Welle)
Kenya has produced some of the finest middle and long-distance runners in the past decades and topped the medals table at last year’s world athletics championships. (The Daily Mail)
This followed the blanket removal of Russian track and field athletes from Rio competition made by the International Association of Athletics Federations. (The Canberra Times)