World Athletics

Athletics

World Athletics, formerly known as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), is the international governing body for the sport of athletics.

Sport

Athletics

Founded

1912 (112 years ago)

Headquarters

Monaco, Monaco

Affiliations

International Olympic Committee

Summary

World Athletics is the international governing body for the sport of athletics, which includes track and field, road running, race walking, cross country running, mountain running, and ultra-distance events. Established in 1912 as the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), it was later rebranded as World Athletics in 2019 to modernise the organisation and reflect its broader reach in promoting the sport globally.

Headquartered in Monaco, World Athletics is responsible for regulating and overseeing international competitions, establishing rules, and maintaining global standards for athletic events. It also administers a range of championships, including the prestigious World Athletics Championships, held every two years, and the World Indoor Championships, as well as numerous other events for junior and youth categories.

As a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), World Athletics plays a key role in the inclusion of athletics in the Olympic Games. The federation works closely with national athletic federations to ensure that competitions meet international standards and that athletes adhere to fair play and anti-doping regulations.

World Athletics is structured to facilitate the promotion of athletics on all continents, with continental associations overseeing the sport in their respective regions. The organisation is governed by the World Athletics Council, which makes decisions on policy and regulations. The World Athletics Congress brings together member federations to discuss and vote on major issues in the sport.

Membership includes over 200 national federations, making World Athletics one of the most globally representative sports organisations. It aims to foster the development of athletics at both elite and grassroots levels, promoting participation, inclusivity, and the health benefits of the sport worldwide.

Disciplines

Track and Field
- Sprints: Short-distance races (World Championships since 1983).
- World Athletics U20 Championships: Held since 1986.
- World Athletics U18 Championships: Held from 1999 to 2017.
- World Masters Athletics Championships: For older athletes in various track and field events.
- Middle-distance races: World Championships since 1983.
- World Athletics Half Marathon Championships: Held for half marathon races.
- Relay races: Including events such as the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
- Hurdling: Including races like the 110m hurdles (World Championships since 1983).
- Para athletics: Events for athletes with disabilities.
- Racewalking: Competitive walking events at various distances.
Field Events
- Jumps: Events like the long jump, high jump, triple jump, and pole vault (World Championships since 1983).
- Throws: Events such as shot put, discus, hammer, and javelin throws.
- Pole vault: A specialised jumping event involving a pole to clear a bar.
- Multi-events: Competitions like the decathlon for men and heptathlon for women (World Championships since 1983).
Road Events
- Marathons: Including major international marathons (World Championships since 1983).
- Half marathons: World Championships since 1992.
- Road running: Includes races of various distances, like 10km and 20km.
Combined and Multi-discipline Events
- Decathlon and Heptathlon: Multi-discipline events for men and women, respectively.
- World Athletics Combined Events Challenge: Since 1998.

Membership

There are five continental associations affiliated with World Athletics. These associations are responsible for organising continental championships, supporting their member federations, and representing their interests at World Athletics Board meetings.