When does track and field start on the Olympics? This is a question that often comes to the minds of sports enthusiasts and casual spectators alike. Track and field, one of the most ancient and popular sports in the world, has always been a highlight of the Olympic Games. In this article, we will delve into the schedule of track and field events during the Olympics and provide you with the answer to this question.
The Olympic Games, held every four years, is a grand sports festival that brings together athletes from all over the world. Track and field events are among the first to kick off the competition, setting the tone for the entire Games. The start time of track and field events in the Olympics can vary depending on the specific edition and the host country’s time zone.
In general, track and field events at the Olympics begin on the first day of the Games, which is known as the Opening Ceremony. The Opening Ceremony is a grand event where athletes from different countries march into the stadium, and the Olympic flag is raised. Following the ceremony, the track and field competitions usually start within a few days.
For instance, in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Opening Ceremony was held on July 23, 2021. The first track and field event, the men’s 100m heats, took place on July 24, 2021. The schedule for track and field events in the Tokyo Olympics was as follows:
– July 24-25: Men’s and women’s 100m heats
– July 26-27: Men’s and women’s 200m heats
– July 28-29: Men’s and women’s 400m heats
– July 30-31: Men’s and women’s 800m heats
– August 1-2: Men’s and women’s 1500m heats
– August 3-4: Men’s and women’s 5000m heats
– August 5-6: Men’s and women’s 10000m heats
– August 7-8: Men’s and women’s marathon heats
– August 9-10: Men’s and women’s 110m hurdles heats
– August 11-12: Men’s and women’s 400m hurdles heats
– August 13-14: Men’s and women’s 3000m steeplechase heats
– August 15-16: Men’s and women’s long jump heats
– August 17-18: Men’s and women’s triple jump heats
– August 19-20: Men’s and women’s pole vault heats
– August 21-22: Men’s and women’s shot put heats
– August 23-24: Men’s and women’s javelin throw heats
– August 25-26: Men’s and women’s hammer throw heats
It is important to note that the schedule may vary from one edition of the Olympics to another. For example, in the 2016 Rio Olympics, the first track and field event, the women’s 100m heats, took place on August 12, 2016. The schedule for track and field events in the Rio Olympics was as follows:
– August 12-13: Women’s 100m heats
– August 14-15: Men’s and women’s 200m heats
– August 16-17: Men’s and women’s 400m heats
– August 18-19: Men’s and women’s 800m heats
– August 20-21: Men’s and women’s 1500m heats
– August 22-23: Men’s and women’s 5000m heats
– August 24-25: Men’s and women’s 10000m heats
– August 26-27: Men’s and women’s marathon heats
– August 28-29: Men’s and women’s 110m hurdles heats
– August 30-31: Men’s and women’s 400m hurdles heats
– September 1-2: Men’s and women’s 3000m steeplechase heats
– September 3-4: Men’s and women’s long jump heats
– September 5-6: Men’s and women’s triple jump heats
– September 7-8: Men’s and women’s pole vault heats
– September 9-10: Men’s and women’s shot put heats
– September 11-12: Men’s and women’s javelin throw heats
– September 13-14: Men’s and women’s hammer throw heats
In conclusion, the start time of track and field events in the Olympics varies depending on the specific edition and the host country’s time zone. However, it is generally expected that the first track and field events will take place within a few days of the Opening Ceremony. By keeping an eye on the schedule, sports fans can witness the thrilling performances of track and field athletes from around the world.
