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Track and field are actually part of a larger subsection of “athletics” within the official Olympic documentation, but the layman’s idea of running and throwing things is still the most accurate label. The only difference is that some races take place on roads instead of tracks.

History
Running is one of the oldest human activities and can trace its roots all the way back to the ancient Olympics. Field events such as the javelin toss and discus throw are more obviously inspired by the ancient Greeks.

Differences
Rather than list each individual medal event, here you will find each category of track and field sports.
Track
– Sprinting: running distances under and including 800 metres
– Marathon: longer distances up to and including 10,000 metres (on a track) or a marathon (on a road)
– Hurdles / Steeplechase: sprinting and marathon running with obstacles on the track. Hurdles are waist-high, and steeplechase obstacles includes hurdles and jumps over water pits.
– Relay running: any of the longer distances above (not marathons), run by teams. Each team member runs a different leg of the race.
– Race walking: a long-distance only category run on roads wherein competitors must remain in contact with the ground at all times (as seen by the human eye). The supporting leg must remain straight until the lifted leg passes it.

Field
– High jump: Athletes jump over a horizontal bar without dislodging it; the bar is raised progressively higher in each round of competition. Interestingly, the techniques used to clear higher and higher bars have improved over the years. Initially, athletes had a standing start and used a jackknife jumping form. Later years allowed a running start, and the jumping form changed to a scissor kick, then a straddling method, then a western roll. Consult this video for visual reference. The current method is the Fosbury Flop, named after American athlete Dick Fosbury who pioneered the technique in Mexico City in 1968.

– Long jump: Athletes get a running start before jumping as far as possible into a pit of sand. In addition to the athleticism required, the scoring system affects jumpers’ techniques. Because the farthest back part of an athlete’s body is used as the measurement point, a proper athlete will land with his legs as far forward as possible, then rock forward to avoid falling on his bottom.

– Triple jump: Similar to the long jump, but the total distance is derived from a series of three jumps, each of which must be done in a specific manner. Also called the “hop, skip, and jump.” The hop must be launched and landed with a single leg, the skip must launch from the hop leg to the other leg, and the jump must be launched with both feet.

– Pole vault: Similar to the high jump, except athletes are given a long, flexible pole with which to propel themselves upwards.

– Shot put: The “shot” is a metal ball, and the “put” refers to competitors propelling it forward from an initial spot near the neck. The ball may only be released once it is above the shoulders. Distance is counted from the closest point of contact with the ground, rather than the ball’s final resting spot. Despite its archaic appearance, this sport does not date back to the original Olympic games. Instead, it more likely developed during the Middle Ages in England and Scotland, when soldiers would have competitions to see who could throw cannonballs farthest.

– Discus throw: A ancient sport wherein athletes throw a heavy disc called a discus as far as possible. As with the shot put, there are some rules which describe where the athlete may stand, but there are no restrictions on how the discus is thrown. Throwers primarily use a one-and-a-half spin overhand grip because it is most effective at transferring spinning momentum to the discus.

– Hammer throw: The hammer in this case is a metal ball on the end of a steel wire, rather than an actual hammer. Similarly to the discus throw, competitors spin inside an allotted area before releasing the hammer downfield. Performance is gauged from a series of throws to limit the effects of fouls and outliers.

– Javelin throw: A javelin is a type of spear, and although the contemporary Olympic model is not used for warfare, it still resembles the ancient Greek weapon it derives its name from. Competitors have a running start before throwing the javelin as downrange as possible. Interestingly, the ancient Greeks actually had a slight advantage because they threw the javelin with the help of a leather thong: modern competitors must rely entirely upon the strength of their hands.

– Decathlon/Heptathlon: As the name suggests, a decathlon is composed of ten smaller events and a heptathlon composed of seven, whose times and scores are averaged to determine final standings. Traditionally, men compete in the decathlon and women compete in the heptathlon, although as of 2001 women have their own 10-event format.

Mens decathlon
Day 1:
– 100 metres
– Long jump
– Shot put
– High jump
– 400 metres

Day 2:
– 110 metres hurdles
– Discus throw
– Pole vault
– Javelin throw
– 1500 metres

Womens decathlon
(Note that items such as the discus are smaller and lighter than the men’s.)
Day 1:
– 100 meters
– Discus throw
– Pole vault
– javelin throw
– 400 metres

Day 2:
– 100 metres hurdles
– Long jump
– Shot put
– High jump
– 1500 metres

Olympians
[mention any notable athletes who achieved success at the olympic games in this sport]