How many events are there in a heptathlon?

A heptathlon is a track and field combined events contest made up of seven events. The name derives from the Greek hepta (seven) and áthlon (feat). A competitor in a heptathlon is referred to as a heptathlete.

The heptathlon replaced the women’s pentathlon in the Olympic Games after 1981. The women’s heptathlon consists of the 100-metre hurdles, high jump, shot put, and 200-metre run on the first day; and the running long (broad) jump, javelin throw, and 800-metre run on the second day. Competitors are scored for their performance in each event according to a table established by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

A less-common men’s version of the heptathlon takes place indoors and replaces the hurdles, javelin throw, and runs with the 60-metre hurdles, pole vault, and 60-and 100-metre runs.