While the earliest evidence of organized running can be traced back to
Egypt in 3800 BCE, the modern sport of track and field evolved from
rural games and church and folk festivals, and rules were drawn up in
the final quarter of the 19th century in those advanced societies where
enough people had the leisure time to indulge their fancies. Today, in
addition to the running events, track and field includes such events as
the high jump, pole vault, long jump, shot, discus, javelin, hammer, and
decathlon. The Historical Dictionary of Track and Field covers the
history of this sport through a chronology, an introductory essay,
appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has
over 500 cross-referenced entries on key figures, places, competitions,
and governing bodies within the sport. This book is an excellent access
point for researchers, students, and anyone wanting to know more about
the history of track and field.