Athletics is probably the most ancient form of sports in the world and it mainly comprises three types of activities like running, jumping and throwing. Like all the other games in this world, Athletics also has its own vocabulary and terms. The terms are used to identify and describe various things in Athletics. Some of the most common terms in Athletics are:
Meters: The term `Meters` is used to measure any kind of distance in Athletics. It is used in all the events of Athletics including Running, Jumping, Throwing and Racing. In the Running department, is it used to determine the total distance of the events like 100 meters, 110 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 1000 meters, 5000 meters, 10000 meters etc. In Jumping, `Meters` is used to determine the distance that a jumper has crossed in length and height and it ultimately determines the winner. In throwing also, the distance that an athlete throws the javelin or hammer or shot put makes the winner and the distance is calculated by meters.
Attempt: This term is used almost according to its literary meaning in Athletics. It is mostly used in the jumping and throwing events where an athlete has to jump or throw for three or more times. Each of their jump or throw is called an `Attempt`.
Qualification: Qualification means to qualify for any Athletic event. It refers to the certain criteria set up by the organisers of a championship for an event. All the athletes must fulfil that criterion to get a chance to compete in the final championship.
Heat: Heat does not mean something hot in Athletics; rather it means to participate in a preliminary competition in order to get a chance to the finals. The organisers normally arrange the heats in order to reduce the number of athletes to a certain number who will appear in the final stage.
Quarter-Final: Like all other competitions, in Athletics also, the term `Quarter-final` means the same. This is another stage to make sure that the best athletes are going to take part in the finals.
Semi-Final: This term is used to identify the next stage of the quarter-finals. In this stage, the athletes try with more passion to get a chance in the final.
Final: Final is the ultimate stage of an Athletics event, where the actual winner of the event is determined. All the athletes try their level best to perform very well in the final and to be announced as the winner.
World Record (WR): This term is very much common in all the sports of the world. This term proclaims the best of any particular event. In running events in Athletics, it is stated in timings and in the jumping and throwing events, it is stated in distances.
European Record (ER): This term is also used in the same way as the World Record is used. However, this is only used to state the best timings and distances achieved in the European Championships.
National Record (NR): This term proclaims the best performance done by any athlete in his country.
Personal Best (PB): This term declares the best performance of an individual athlete throughout his career. This is normally stated when the athlete wins a gold or shows some extraordinary performance.
Disqualified (DSQ): If any athlete in any Athletics event starts ahead of the starting line consecutively for three times, then the starter of the event sometimes announce the athlete as `Disqualified`. This announcement is stated in the board by putting the DSQ sign beside the athlete`s name.
Did Not Finish (DNF): If any athlete fails to complete running the total event, then the athlete is announced as DNF.
Did Not Start (DNS): This term is used to state the fact that, an athlete has failed to start the event for some reason.
Outdoor: The term `Outdoor` is used to identify the events, which are played in outdoors. Such events are the half-marathon, marathon, walk etc.
Indoor: This term is also used for indicating the events that are played in indoor.
Though the discussed terms are mostly used in Athletics, there are some colloquial terms of Athletics as well that are used in various parts of the world.
