What is the scoring system for the heptathlon and how is Katarina Johnson-Thompson hoping for gold in Paris?

The heptathlon is a highly coveted event in track and field, often referred to as the "blue ribband" of athletics. And for British heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, winning the gold medal in this event at the Paris 2024 Olympics is the ultimate goal. Despite being the reigning world champion, Johnson-Thompson has yet to secure a spot on the podium in her three previous Olympic Games. She finished 14th in her first Olympics in London, while her sixth-place finish in Rio was followed by a heartbreaking injury in Tokyo where she tore her calf.

Now, as Johnson-Thompson gears up for her latest quest for gold, viewers may be curious about the scoring system used in the heptathlon. Developed by Austrian mathematician Dr. Karl Ulbrich, the system assigns points based on an athlete's performance in each event. Essentially, times, heights, and distances are translated into a numerical score. Each event has a designated benchmark performance that earns 1000 points, with a minimum recordable performance earning 0 points.

For instance, completing the 100m hurdles in 13.85 seconds or less would result in a score of 1000 points, while a time of 14.46 seconds would earn 900 points. The benchmarks for 1000 points in each of the seven events are as follows: 100m hurdles (13.85s), high jump (1.82m), shot put (17.07m), 200m (23.80s), long jump (6.48m), javelin (57.19m), and 800m (2:07:63). As an athlete improves in each event, their scores will gradually increase from these benchmarks.

The winner of the heptathlon is determined by the athlete with the highest overall score at the end of the seven events. And when it comes to the highest heptathlon score ever recorded, it's no surprise that American legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee holds the record with 7291 points in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. Double-defending Olympic champion Nafi Thiam of Belgium is third on the all-time list with 7013 points.

Johnson-Thompson's personal best score is 6981 points, while her teammate and fellow Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill achieved her career-best score of 6955 points with her golden performance in London in 2012. As Johnson-Thompson prepares to make her mark in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, all eyes will be on her as she strives to add the elusive gold medal to her impressive trophy cabinet.

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