In the original arcade game, the player uses two "run" buttons (or a trackball in later units that replaced buttons damaged from overuse) and one "action" button to control an athlete competing in the following six events:[8]
100 meter dash – running by quickly alternating button presses;
Long jump – running by alternating button press and correct timing for jump — hold jump button to set angle (42 degrees is optimal);
Javelin throw – running by alternating button presses and then using action button correct timing for angle (43 degrees is optimal);
110 meter hurdles – running by alternating button presses and using action button to time jumps;
Hammer throw – spinning initiated by pressing a run button once and then correctly timed press of action button to choose angle (45 degrees is optimal);
High jump – running (speed set by computer) and then action button must be held down to determine angle of jump — once in the air, the run button can be rapidly pressed for additional height.