Heptathlon

Seven events over two days for women: 100 metres hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200 metres on the first day, then long jump, javelin and 800 metres on the second. Each mark is converted into points with the World Athletics tables adopted in 1984, and the highest total wins. The hurdles, 200 metres and long jump carry wind readings; a score counts as a record only if the average tailwind over those events is 2.0 metres per second or less. A heptathlete with no weak event usually beats one with a single great one, and the 800 metres at the end, run with the standings already known, is where the last few places change hands.