track and field
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track and field
A collective term for various sports based on the basic human movements of running, jumping, and throwing. These include disciplines such as sprinting, long jump, shot put, and marathon.
Bei den Olympischen Spielen schaue ich mir am liebsten die Wettbewerbe in der Leichtathletik an.
At the Olympic Games, I most enjoy watching the track and field events.
The word is composed of 'leicht' (light) and 'Athletik' (athletics). Historically, the term arose to distinguish it from 'Schwerathletik' (heavy athletics), which includes sports such as wrestling or weightlifting.
Die Unterscheidung in Leicht- und Schwerathletik ist heute nicht mehr so gebräuchlich.
The distinction between Leichtathletik (track and field) and Schwerathletik (heavy athletics) is no longer very common today.
'Leichtathletik' (track and field) is almost always used in the singular because it is a collective term for many disciplines. You do not speak of 'mehreren Leichtathletiken' (several track-and-fields).
Mein Sohn interessiert sich sehr für Leichtathletik.
My son is very interested in track and field.
Common verbs used with this sport are 'Leichtathletik betreiben' (to do/practice track and field) or 'Leichtathletik machen' (to do track and field). A person who does this sport is a 'Leichtathlet' or 'Leichtathletin' (track and field athlete).
Sie betreibt seit ihrer Kindheit Leichtathletik.
She has been doing track and field since childhood.