Athletics

Competition Introduction

Athletics is divided into four categories:“Track Events”, “Field Events”,“Combined Events”, and“Road Events”.

Track Events	Short-,middle- and long-distance races, relays, hurdles, and race walk are held on tracks inside the stadium. Atheletes complete to see who can run or walk the distance the fastest.
Field Events ＜Jumping＞	Events using the inner or outer track to compete for jump height and distance (Long jump, High jump, Pole vault,Triple jump)
Field Events ＜Throwing＞	Events using the inner track to throw implements by hand as far as possible, competing for distance(Shot put, Javelin throw, Hammer throw, Discus throw)
Road Events	Marathon competition covering 42.195km on paved roads
Combined Events	Events where a single athlete competes in multiple disciplines comprising running, throwing, and jumping, with rankings determined by total points across all events. Men compete in ten events over two days ( Day1:100m, Long jump, Shot put, High jump, 400m; Day 2: 110m hurdles, Discus throw, Pole vault, Javelin throw, 1500m) Women compete in seven events over two days (Day 1: 100m hurdles, High jump, Shot put, 200m; Day 2: Long jump, Javelin throw, 800m)

Unique Aspects of Deaf Sports

Competition follows the same international rules as for hearing people.

Competition follows the same international rules as for hearing people.
The difference lies in communicating the start of competition to athletes.
In track events where thousandths of seconds matter, starting movement in sync with the start signal is crucial, but deaf athletes cannot hear the start signal. Previously, athletes had to watch the starter or nearby athletes to begin. Particularly in short-distance events using crouching starts, athletes had to keep their heads up to watch for the start signal, forcing them into a disadvantageous position.

This led to the development of “Starting Lights” as part of Visual Information & Communication Accessibility.

This device signals the start with light cues, synchronised with the starting pistol: “On your marks” (red), “Set” (yellow), “Go” (green), with colour changes indicating signals to athletes.

By positioning starting lights in athletes’ sight lines, they can start under the same conditions as hearing people.

Events

25th Summer Deaflympics Tokyo 2025

Men

100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m, 3000m steeplechase, 4×100m relay, 4×400m relay, 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, Long jump, High jump, Pole vault, Triple jump, Shot put, Javelin throw, Hammer throw, Discus throw, Marathon, Decathlon

Women

100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m, 4×100m relay, 4×400m relay, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, Long jump, High jump, Triple jump, Shot put, Javelin throw, Hammer throw, Discus throw, Marathon, Heptathlon

Mixed

4×400m relay

Venue

• Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground Athletic Field
• Oi Central Seaside Park Track and Field Facilities
• Tokyo Express Way and a part of Yaesu Route, Metropolitan Expressway

Deaf sport federation website

• Japan Deaf Athletics Association