International Association of Athletics Federations

International Association of Athletics Federations
Name	International Association of Athletics Federations
Type	Sports governing body
Founded	17 July 1912
Headquarters	Monaco
President	Sebastian Coe
Region served	Worldwide
Former name	International Amateur Athletic Federation
Website	worldathletics.org

International Association of Athletics Federations. The International Association of Athletics Federations is the global governing body for the sport of athletics, encompassing track and field, cross country running, road running, race walking, and mountain running. Founded in 1912 as the International Amateur Athletic Federation, it oversees international competitions, sets the rules and standards for the sport, and works to promote athletics worldwide. Headquartered in Monaco, the federation is responsible for organizing premier events like the World Athletics Championships and ratifying world records.

History

The federation was established on 17 July 1912 in Stockholm, Sweden, by national representatives following the 1912 Summer Olympics. Its founding president was Sigfrid Edström, a Swedish industrialist and member of the International Olympic Committee. Initially named the International Amateur Athletic Federation, its primary focus was to standardize rules for amateur competition and oversee the sport's inclusion in the Olympic Games. Over the decades, it expanded its event portfolio, introducing the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in 1983 and later the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics. The federation's headquarters moved from London to its current home in Monaco in 1993.

Governance and structure

The federation is governed by a Council elected by the Congress, which is the supreme legislative body comprising representatives from all member federations. The current president is Sebastian Coe, who succeeded Lamine Diack in 2015. Key operational areas are managed by various committees, such as the Technical Committee, Cross Country Committee, and Athletes' Commission. The organization maintains six area associations: the Asian Athletics Association, Confédération Africaine d'Athlétisme, European Athletics, North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association, Oceania Athletics Association, and CONSUDATLE.

Competitions

The federation organizes a wide array of global competitions. Its flagship event is the World Athletics Championships, held biennially. Other major series include the Diamond League, the World Athletics Indoor Championships, the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, and the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships. It also sanctions one-day World Athletics Continental Tour meetings and oversees the World Athletics Relays. The federation's events for younger athletes include the World Athletics U20 Championships and the World Athletics U18 Championships.

Member federations

The federation comprises 214 member federations, representing nations and territories across all six continental areas. Each member is responsible for governing the sport within its jurisdiction and must adhere to the constitution and rules. Notable members include USA Track & Field, Athletics Canada, UK Athletics, Athletics Australia, and the Japan Association of Athletics Federations. Membership grants the right to enter athletes into federation-sanctioned competitions and to vote at the Congress.

Rules and regulations

The federation's rulebook, the Technical Rules, governs all aspects of competition, including event specifications, equipment standards, and athlete eligibility. It defines official events from the 100 metres to the marathon, and field events like the pole vault and hammer throw. The federation is also the sole authority for ratifying world records, a process managed by a dedicated committee that verifies compliance with strict criteria regarding timing, wind measurement, and doping control.

Doping and integrity

The federation's anti-doping program is managed by the Athletics Integrity Unit, an independent body established in 2017. It conducts out-of-competition testing, manages biological passports, and enforces sanctions for violations of the World Anti-Doping Code. High-profile cases have involved athletes like Justin Gatlin, Aslı Çakır Alptekin, and the systemic scandal surrounding the Russian Athletic Federation, which led to its suspension from international competition. The unit also addresses broader integrity issues such as betting fraud and age manipulation.

Name change and rebranding

In October 2019, at the 217th Congress in Doha, Qatar, the organization changed its name to World Athletics. This rebranding was part of a modernization strategy to make the sport more accessible and appealing to a global audience. The new name and logo were officially launched following the 2019 World Athletics Championships. The legal name remains the International Association of Athletics Federations, but World Athletics is used for all branding and communication purposes.