Heptathlon Heptathlon A heptathlon is a track and field combined events contest made up of seven events. The name derives from the Greek "hepta" (seven) and ἄθλος (áthlos, or ἄθλον, áthlon, meaning "feat"). A competitor in a heptathlon is referred to as a heptathlete. There are two heptathlons – the women's heptathlon and the men's – composed of different events. The men's heptathlon is older and is held indoors, while the women's is held outdoors and was introduced in the 1980s, first appearing in the Olympics in 1984. Women's heptathlon is the combined event for women contested in the athletics programme
Athletics at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Women's heptathlon attempt to tie three others for the event lead. After 2 events, JJK already had over a hundred point lead. The competition appeared settled, the world record was clearly her target as her husband/coach reenforced with every instruction from the stands. In John's best event, the shot put, her 16.23m did gain 28 points on Joyner-Kersee's second place 15.80m lifetime personal best, nobody else was less than a metre behind John. Concluding the first day, Joyner-Kersee's Olympic heptathlon best 22.56 left Behmer in second place, more than a half second behind. JJK started the second day with a long jump.