"heptathlon" - Word of the Day from the OED

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heptathlon, n.

ADDITIONS SERIES 1993

(hptæln)  [f. HEPT- + Gr. contest, after PENTATHLON n., etc.] 

    An athletic contest, usu. for women, consisting of seven different events.

1977 Washington Post 28 July (Virginia Weekly section) 1/6 The favorite all day long was the Heptathlon competition composed of seven athletic events from the old country. 1980 T. MCNAB Compl. Bk. Athletics xx. 178/1 In 1976, the IAAF Congress Women's Committee proposed that from 1981 a heptathlon be introduced. 1985 H. PAYNE Athletes in Action 179 He has coached his national team in all jumping events and in the heptathlon. 1989 Times 5 Apr. 48/4 The only American women to win individual athletics gold medals in Seoul were..Jackie Joyner-Kersee, in the heptathlon and the long jump.

    Hence heptathlete n., a competitor in such an event.

1983 Runner's World Jan. 54/1 Jodi Anderson, our heptathlete, could easily pole vault 13, 14, probably 15 feet. 1990 Times 4 Apr. 44/4 Kim Hagger, the heptathlete, joined the world mile record holder, Cram.., for the launch in London.

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