heptathlon

plural heptathlons · plural heptathla

1. athleticsAn athletic contest comprising seven events; contested mostly by women, for whom this is an Olympic sport.

   [Carolina Kluft] has won her last 19 heptathlons. Only the legendary Jackie Joyner-Kersee has scored higher.

   2008 January 26, Frank Litsky, “Swedish Star Finds Motivation in Variety”, in The New York Times

   1 more example

   For now, Gray and her peers are able to compete for Olympic berths only in the seven-event heptathlon, while the decathlon is restricted to men.

   2021 June 7, Shauna Farnell, “An Olympic Hurdle: Why Is the Decathlon Only for Men?”, in The New York Times