In 2024, decathlon remains the only track and field discipline where women do not have the opportunity to compete in a structured system, and on a regular basis. Too often, when female decathletes make the case to increase those opportunities, they are met with a barrage of reasons why they should not be seeking that opportunity, and why they should stay in their lane.
The most important voice in the case for women having the opportunity to compete in decathlon is the voice of female decathletes. Those voices are frequently missing from media coverage of the issue. This platform – founded by a female decathlon analyst and writer – makes a conscious decision to amplify the voices of female decathletes, help promulgate their views, and support them in sharing their expertise.
Every edition of the Decathletes of Europe photo calendar since 2020 has featured a female decathlete. Why? So that little girls, as well as boys, can see themselves as future decathletes.
If you’re a female decathlete keen to find out more, or someone keen to learn more about the views of female decathletes, I hope you find these resources useful. Please do get in touch if you would like me to signpost to additional resources, or share details of competitions.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
How are the points calculated in women’s decathlon? Are the events in a women’s decathlon in the same order as in the men’s decathlon? What is the decathlon world record?
Here are the answers to some commonly-asked questions about women’s decathlon:
Women’s Decathlon: Q&A – Decathletes of Europe
UPCOMING COMPETITIONS
- 25-26 May 2024: Meeting Nana Djimou, Montreuil, France Nana-djimou – CA Montreuil 93 (cam93.org)
- 13-14 July 2024: French female decathlon championships, Talence, France
- 3-4 August 2024: Women’s Decathlon World Championships, Geneva, Ohio, USA Women’s Decathlon (womens-decathlon.com)
PREVIOUS COMPETITIONS
- July 2023: Open de France Decathlon
- August 2023: USA Women’s Decathlon National Championships
- September 2023: Hochdorf combined events meeting organised by Audacia Hochdorf Leichtathletik
- September 2023: Championnats Open d’Epreuves Combinées de la Région Bruxelles-Capitale
- January 2024: X-Athletics, Clermont Ferrand (including women’s indoor heptathlon)
THE WOMEN’S DECATHLON ASSOCIATION
The Women’s Decathlon Association, founded by Becca Gillespy-Peter and Dimitry Yakoushkin is the best source of data and expertise on women’s decathlon. Their statistics include world all time lists for decathlons over 5000 points, and individual event records.
THE WOMEN’S DECATHLON AND GRIT: TED TALK
LET WOMEN DECATHLON
Creating the opportunities for women to compete in decathlon begins with the removal of barriers to entry to decathlon at an early age. That then requires a structure in which to compete and develop, but of course the ultimate opportunity is for woman to be able to compete for the most iconic of Olympic track and field titles: the world’s greatest athlete. To support the Olympic end of the campaign, please read and sign Jordan’s “Let Women Decathlon” petition.
Let Women Decathlon Petition: End Olympic gender inequality
FEATURES AND ARTICLES ON FEMALE DECATHLETES
Austra Skujyte, Lithuania: “I want them to break my record“
Jordan Gray, USA: Dedicated. Determined. DecathleteÂ
Cassandre Evans, Belgium: Decathlon is for Everybody
2021 Women’s Decathlon Association Championships: The Decathlon Pioneers
2023 USA Women’s Decathlon Championships: Preview
Photos courtesy of (where not otherwise labelled): Vincent Delcros/Huy Athletic Club, Jordan Gray, Decathlon 2000 (Austra), AnnaLee McGregor, Audacia Hochdorf Leichtathletik