Track and field today—it comprised a five-event competition of the long jump, javelin throw, discus throw, stadion footrace, and wrestling. Track and field events were also present at the Panhellenic Games in Greece around this period, and they spread to Rome in Italy around 200 BC. After the period of Classical antiquity (in which the sport was largely Greco-Roman influenced) new track and field events began developing in parts of Northern Europe in the Middle Ages. The stone put and weight throw competitions popular among Celtic societies in Ireland and Scotland were precursors to the modern shot put and hammer throw events. One
Geoff Vanderstock Geoff Vanderstock Geoffrey Peter "Geoff" Vanderstock (born October 8, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois) (also known as Jeff) is an American track and field athlete primarily known for running hurdles. He was once the World Record holder in the 400 metres hurdles. His 48.94 was set at the high altitude United States Olympic Trials (track and field) at Echo Summit, California on September 11, 1968. He was the first man to run the event under 49 seconds. The hand time took .3 off the previous record held by Rex Cawley. A month later at the 1968 Summer Olympics, he finished 4th