Combined events
World Athletics · 2026Points rather than individual wins · Special rules
Points rather than individual wins
A decathlon contains 10 events and a heptathlon 7. Each performance earns points from the applicable scoring tables; the highest total wins. A weak event can therefore be offset by strong performances elsewhere. Equal final totals remain tied. An athlete who does not attempt to start or take a trial in an event must withdraw from the combined competition.
Special rules
Long jump and throwing events allow only 3 trials. One false start is allowed for the entire race before subsequent responsible athletes are disqualified. Bar increments are fixed at 3 cm in high jump and 10 cm in pole vault. Short-track combined events have their own programme; do not assume every decathlon or heptathlon has the same schedule.
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