The decathlon is a combined event in athletics consisting of 10 track and field events. The word "decathlon" was formed, in analogy to the word "pentathlon", from Greek δέκα and ἄθλος. Events are held over two consecutive days and the winners are determined by the combined performance in all. Performance is judged on a points system in each event, not by the position achieved. The decathlon is contested mainly by male athletes, while female athletes typically compete in the heptathlon.
A heptathlon is a track and field combined events contest made up of seven events. The name derives from the Greek ἑπτά and ἄθλος. A competitor in a heptathlon is referred to as a heptathlete.
The men's decathlon competition at the 1994 European Athletics Championships in Helsinki, Finland, was held at Helsinki Olympic Stadium on 12 August and 13 August 1994.
The men's decathlon competition at the 1990 European Athletics Championships in Split, Yugoslavia, was held at Stadion Poljud on 28 August and 29 August 1990.
The men's decathlon competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event was held at the Olympic Stadium between 17 and 18 August.
The men's decathlon at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics was held at the Beijing National Stadium on 28 and 29 August.
The men's decathlon at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics was held at the Olympic Stadium on 11–12 August.
The men's decathlon at the 2019 World Athletics Championships was held at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha from 2 to 4 October.
The men's decathlon at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships was held at the Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero on 1 and 2 August.
The women's heptathlon event at the 2021 Summer World University Games was held on 4 and 5 August 2023 at the Shuangliu Sports Centre Stadium in Chengdu, China.
The men's decathlon at the 2024 Summer Olympics was held in Paris, France, on 2 and 3 August 2024.
