One of five events that has taken place at every modern Olympic Games; the others being fencing, cycling, swimming and gymnastics.

The sport with the largest number of participants will see 48 events contested, one more than in 2016, as a mixed 4×400-meter relay has been added.

The “track” portion consists of sprints, middle-distance and long-distance events, as well as hurdles, steeplechase and relays, while the “field” events are long, triple and high jumps, pole vault, shot put, discus, javelin and hammer throw. The men’s 10-event decathlon and the women’s eight-event heptathlon comprise elements of both track and field events. Women do not compete in the 50-kilometer race walk.

All events with the exception of the marathon and walking race take place on the 400-meter track at the new National Stadium, with the finish line being the same for all races.

The sprints in athletics are the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races, while hurdles are 110 and 100 meters for men and women, respectively, while both race the 400-meter hurdles.

The middle- and long-distance events are the 800-, 1,500-, 5,000- and 10,000-meter races. The 800-meter race requires runners to stay in an assigned lane for the first 100 meters, while the long distances feature a mass start from a curved line and runners are free to run in whatever lane they choose. The steeplechase is likely the least known track event; it is a 3,000-meter race with five barriers per lap, including one with water. Unlike the barriers used in the hurdling events, which fall over when hit, steeplechase barriers are immobile and competitors often “step” on them while going over. The water jump is 3.66 meters long and the water is 70 centimeters deep closest to the barrier and the pool slopes upward until it reaches the track.

The marathon and race walking events have been relocated to Sapporo, Hokkaido.

Athletics events run from July 30 to Aug. 8.

Venue and access information

Built on the site of the former National Stadium, which was home to the 1964 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics events, the new National Stadium was completed in November 2019. The stadium, which has a maximum capacity of 80,016, will be used for the opening and closing ceremonies, athletics events and football matches.

The stadium is about five minutes from Kokuritsu-kyogijo Station on the Toei Oedo Line and Sendagaya and Shinanomachi stations on the Sobu Line. The stadium can also be accessed by bus from various stations, including Shibuya and Meguro.