1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Track & Field

An Illustrated History of the Heptathlon

By Mike Rosenbaum, About.com

1 of 3

The early days of the heptathlon

Glynis Nunn at the 1984 Olympics

Tony Duffy/Getty Images
First, there was the pentathlon. At least for women. Women's multi-sport competition began with the five-sport pentathlon, which became an Olympic event in 1964. The seven-sport heptathlon replaced the pentathlon at the 1984 Games, where Australia's Glynis Nunn won the first Olympic heptathlon gold medal.

Explore Track & Field

About.com Special Features

Learn to Pitch

Strike out the competition with these step-by-step pictorials. More >

Introduction to Pilates

Learning Pilates fundamentals can help you get the most out of your exercise regime. More >

  1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Track & Field
  4. Multi-Sport Events
  5. Heptathlon
  6. An Illustrated History of the Heptathlon

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.