A guide to the different multisport ‘-athlon’ events, a few of which are Olympic sports
Just how many ‘-athlon’ sporting events are there? We have counted 11, but there could be more. Let us know what we have missed.
How many – athlon sports are there?
Aquathlon
Aquathlon is one of the most accessible multisport events: all you need is running and swimming gear. Sometimes called a ‘splash and dash’, there are two legs to the event – a swim followed by a run – although some events have three legs, following a run-swim-run format.
Biathlon
One for the winter-sports enthusiasts, this event involves rifle shooting and cross-country skiing. Competitors race against each other along a cross-country ski trail, stopping along the route for rounds of shooting.
Duathlon
Similar to the triathlon, without the swim. There are three legs to the event but just two sports: running and cycling. Competitors start with a run before heading out on the bike, then finish with a run.
Triathlon
A triathlon is one, demanding race with three different elements: swim, bike and run. Distances vary from a short beginner-friendly super sprint – where competitors swim 400m, cycle 10km then run 2.5km – to a long-distance triathlon which involves a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and a marathon (42.195km) to finish.
Quadrathlon
Triathlon not challenging enough? Then why not add a fourth discipline – say kayaking – to make it even harder? Welcome to the world of quadrathlon: competitors swim, kayak, cycle then run.
Tetrathlon
The tetrathlon is very similar to pentathlon (below). Competitors take part in four disciplines: swimming, jumping a horse cross-country, pistol shooting and cross-country running. Points are awarded for each leg of the event and the competitor with the highest score wins.
Pentathlon
Inspired by the military, the pentathlon comprises of five events that would have been crucial to the 19th-century army officer: swimming, fencing, running, shooting, show jumping (horsemanship). It is an Olympic sport, however after Paris 2024, show jumping will no longer be part of the event and it will be replaced by obstacle racing.
Heptathlon
The heptathlon for women is held outdoors and is made up of seven athletic events spread across two days. It includes the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200m sprint on the first day, while the second day comprises the long jump, javelin and 800m run. The men’s event is indoors and involves a 60-metre run, long jump, shot put and high jump on day one, with the 60-metre hurdles, pole vault and 1,000-metre run on day two.
Decathlon
Not for the faint-hearted, this Olympic sport features 10 events. The 100m, long jump, shot put, high jump and 400m take place on the first day, while the second day involves 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500m. Traditionally a men’s sport, there are now calls for a women’s event to be included in the Olympics.
Tetradecathlon
The tetradecathlon is a 14-discipline track and field event, often known as the double heptathlon. In winter, the men’s and women’s event is indoors and features a 60m sprint, long jump, 800m, shot put, 400m, high jump and 3,000m on day one, while the 60m hurdles, pole vault, 1,500m, discus, 200m, triple jump and 5,000m are completed on the second day.
In summer, the two-day outdoor tetradecathlon is usually a women’s event, with the 100m hurdles, high jump, 1,500m, 400m hurdles, shot put and 200m on day one, while the 100m, long jump, 4,000m, javelin, 800m, 200m hurdles, discus and 3,000m on the second day.
Icosathlon
With its 20 track and field events, the icosathlon – sometimes called the double decathlon – must be the ultimate multi-sport event, requiring the most talented athletes.
On the first day, there’s the 100m, long jump, 200m hurdles, shot put, 5,000m, 800m, high jump, 400m, hammer throw and 3,000m steeplechase, while on the second day there’s the 110m hurdles, discus, 200m, pole vault, 3,000m, 400m hurdles, javelin throw, 1,500 metres, triple jump and 10,000m.