Getting Started

Introduction & Overview

Athletics is more than running fast or throwing far — it is the foundation of physical fitness, discipline, and teamwork. Whether you are sprinting down a track, swimming laps in a pool, or shooting free throws on a basketball court, athletics challenges you to push your limits and discover what your body can do. This merit badge will help you build a personal training program, understand the rules and spirit of fair play, and explore the wide world of competitive and recreational sports.

Then and Now

Then — The Birth of Athletic Competition

The story of athletics begins in ancient Greece, where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC. Those early competitions featured foot races, discus throwing, javelin, and wrestling — events not so different from what you will find at a track meet today. For the Greeks, athletics was not just about winning. It was a way to honor the gods, build strong citizens, and unite rival city-states under a common tradition of fair competition.

Purpose: Civic pride, military readiness, religious celebration
Mindset: The ideal of the well-rounded athlete — strong in body and mind

Now — Athletics for Everyone

Today, athletics spans hundreds of sports at every level — from your school gym class to the Olympic Games. Modern training science, nutrition, and technology have made athletes faster, stronger, and more resilient than ever. But the biggest change is access: athletics is no longer reserved for elite warriors or wealthy aristocrats. Youth leagues, community rec centers, adaptive sports programs, and school teams make it possible for anyone to compete, no matter their background or ability.

Purpose: Fitness, fun, personal growth, community, competition
Mindset: Every athlete has a starting line — improvement is the real victory

Get Ready! You are about to explore the world of athletics from the ground up. You will learn how to train smart, stay safe, eat well, and compete with integrity. Whether you dream of standing on a podium or just want to beat your own personal best, this guide is your playbook.

A Scout standing on an outdoor athletics track at sunrise, stretching and preparing for a workout, with a field and bleachers in the background

Kinds of Athletics

Athletics covers a huge range of activities. Here is a look at the main categories you will encounter in this merit badge.

Track Events

Track events are races run on a measured course — usually an oval track. They range from explosive sprints that last just seconds to grueling distance runs that test your endurance over miles.

Sprints (100m, 200m) — Pure speed. These races are over in a flash, and every fraction of a second counts.
Middle Distance (800m, 1500m) — A blend of speed and stamina. Pacing is everything.
Long Distance (3K, 5K, and beyond) — Endurance events where mental toughness matters as much as physical fitness.

Field Events

Field events take place in designated areas on or near the track. They focus on jumping and throwing — skills that combine power, technique, and coordination.

Jumping — Long jump, high jump, triple jump, and pole vault. Each event rewards explosive leg power and precise form.
Throwing — Shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer throw. These events channel full-body strength into a single powerful motion.

Team Ball Sports

Many athletic activities are team-based. Basketball, soccer, football, and baseball each require a unique mix of individual skill and group coordination. These sports teach you to communicate, trust your teammates, and adapt to changing situations in real time.

A collage showing four scenes: a Scout shooting a basketball, a Scout kicking a soccer ball, a Scout throwing a football, and a Scout throwing a baseball, all on outdoor fields

Strength & Conditioning

Pull-ups, push-ups, and weight training build the raw strength and muscular endurance that support every other athletic activity. Whether you are a sprinter, a swimmer, or a soccer player, a stronger body performs better and resists injury.

Aquatic Athletics

Swimming is one of the most complete workouts in all of athletics. It builds cardiovascular fitness, upper- and lower-body strength, and flexibility — all while being easy on your joints. Competitive swimming events test both speed and endurance across distances from 50 meters to 1500 meters and beyond.

A young swimmer in a pool lane doing freestyle stroke, with lane ropes on either side and a timer visible at the end of the pool

Now that you have seen the breadth of what athletics has to offer, it is time to start working through the requirements.