Track and Field in Nigeria

How it works

The events of track and field

It is being played in an oval running track stadium that comprises a grass field for the throwing and jumping activities. The running event comprises sprints, middle distance, long distance, relay race and hurdling.

In track and field athletics, sprints are races run over a short distance within a short timeframe. It is among the oldest running competition and it is often used in many sports that involves running. During the Olympics and Outdoor World Championships, there are three sprint running events in track and field that is mostly held which are the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400-meter event.

The middle distance running events are track races which are longer than sprints as it ranges up to 3000 meters. The long distance race is a continuous running on the track which includes 5000m, 10,000m, two-mile run, three-mile run, five-mile run etc.

This form of running requires stamina and endurance for you to complete it. The 4 x 100 meters relay is another famous event mostly held at track and field competition. All these races are won by the athlete who has the fastest record of time.

The jumping event consists mainly of the long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault and athletes are judged with the length or height of their jumps. An athlete when jumping for height has to avoid their body touching the crossbar as well as knocking it down because once the bar is knocked down, the jump counts as a failed attempt.

The throwing event basically involves propelling an object such as javelin, weight, hammer throw, shot put or discus from a focal point of which athletes are being judged and recorded based on the distance the object is thrown.

The combined event is a competition which involves athletes participating in a number of track and field events, scoring points for their performance in each level. Track And Field sports especially relay requires teamwork and communication to be effective.

Track and Field has a rule guiding it which is that any athlete that runs outside his or her track lane will be disqualified from the race, that is why athletes are always advised to be careful and focused while playing the game.

Nigerian records · checked 29 September 2026

Nigerian national records

Two national records fell in 2026: Kayinsola Ajayi ran 9.84 for the 100m, ending Olusoji Fasuba’s 20-year reign, and Samuel Ogazi ran 43.38 for the 400m. Tobi Amusan’s 12.12 in the 100m hurdles was the world record until Masai Russell of the USA ran 12.09 on 27 August 2026.

Men

Women