Track and field is a sport that includes athletic contests based on running, jumping, and throwing skills. The name used in North America is derived from where the sport takes place, a running track and a grass field for the throwing and some of the jumping events. Track and field is categorized under the umbrella sport of athletics, which also includes road running, cross country running and racewalking. In British English the term
athletics is synonymous with American
track and field and includes all jumping events. Outside of Canada and the United States,
athletics is the official term for this sport with 'track' and 'field' events being subgroups of athletics events.