A Comprehensive Look at Olympic Heptathlon

The image of women athletes has evolved from delicate creatures needing protection to competitors who are just as willing to push themselves to the limit as are men. Likewise, women's Olympic sports have evolved during that time. The five-event pentathlon was added in 1964, then was replaced by the seven-event heptathlon in 1984. Will a women's Olympic decathlon some day follow?Like the decathlon, heptathletes receive points relative to their time or measurement, rather than their placing, in each of the seven events. Learn more about the details of heptathlon competition below.

• What Is Olympic Heptathlon?
• Olympic Rules & Competition
• Learn to Compete in Heptathlon (from BBC Sport)
• Your Road to the Olympic Team

Just as the Olympic decathlon winner is considered the world's greatest male athlete, the heptathlon champion becomes the world's greatest female athlete. Read about some of those performers from the brief but lively history of women's Olympic heptathlon.

• An Illustrated History of Heptathlon
• Past Olympic Heptathlon Medalists
• Greatest Moments in Olympic Heptathlon History

Photos of all seven Olympic heptathlon events highlight this action photo gallery.

• Heptathlon Action Image Gallery

Take a look at the top 2008 Olympic heptathlon hopefuls, from the U.S. and around the world, then catch up with some familiar names from the past with these selections.

• Top Americans
• Best of the Rest
• Medal Predictions
• Where Are They Now?