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| Spanish Athletics Federation | |
|---|---|
| Name | Real Federación Española de Atletismo |
| Abbrev | RFEA |
| Sport | Athletics (track and field) |
| Founded | 1920 |
| Jurisdiction | Spain |
| Headquarters | Madrid |
| President | Raúl Chapado |
| Url | official website |
Spanish Athletics Federation
The Spanish Athletics Federation (Real Federación Española de Atletismo) is the national governing body for Athletics (track and field) in Spain. It organizes national championships such as the Spanish Athletics Championships, selects teams for multi-sport events including the Olympic Games, the World Athletics Championships, and the European Athletics Championships, and collaborates with regional federations like the Federación Catalana de Atletisme. The federation works with institutions including the Consejo Superior de Deportes, the Comité Olímpico Español, and international bodies such as World Athletics and the European Athletic Association.
Founded in 1920, the federation emerged amid the growth of organized competition defined by early editions of the Spanish Athletics Championships and participation in the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. Throughout the 20th century it navigated changes after the Second Spanish Republic, the Spanish Civil War, and the Francoist Spain period, contributing athletes to the 1936 Summer Olympics and postwar events. In the late 20th century the federation adapted to reforms inspired by European Athletics modernization, athlete professionalization seen at the 1984 Summer Olympics and 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, and anti-doping developments following high-profile cases such as those that affected competitors at the 1999 World Championships in Athletics and the 2000 Summer Olympics.
The federation is structured with a General Assembly, an Executive Committee, and technical commissions that handle disciplines like sprints, middle-distance running, long-distance running, hurdles, racewalking, marathon, cross country running, high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, and throws (athletics). It works alongside regional federations such as the Federación Andaluza de Atletismo and the Federación Madrileña de Atletismo to coordinate grassroots pathways, licensing, and coaching certification linked to entities like the Consejo Superior de Deportes and the Comité Olímpico Español. Presidents and notable administrators have engaged with international bodies including World Athletics and figures from European federations at congresses in Monte Carlo and Prague.
The federation stages the national calendar including the outdoor Spanish Athletics Championships, the indoor Spanish Indoor Athletics Championships, the Spanish Cross Country Championships, and road events such as the San Sebastián Marathon and national selections for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. It organizes national trials for the Olympic Games, the World Athletics Championships, the European Athletics Championships, and development meets like the Iberian Championships and the Mediterranean Games. The federation also sanctions club competitions in formats similar to the European Champion Clubs Cup and coordinates with meeting organizers such as those of the Madrid Meeting and the Barcelona Meeting for permit status under World Athletics Continental Tour rules.
Selection policies produce squads for the Olympic Games, European Athletics Championships, World Athletics Championships, European U23 Championships, and youth competitions like the IAAF World U20 Championships. The federation has developed prominent athletes including Alberto Sánchez, Ruth Beitia, Fermín Cacho, Yago Lamela, Mireia Belmonte (note: primarily a swimmer but linked via Comité Olímpico Español cross-sport work), Adel Mechaal, Bruno Hortelano, Julio Rey, Ruth Lorenzo (entertainment crossover), and María Vasco. It runs talent ID programs in collaboration with regional federations, university sports departments at institutions such as Universidad Complutense de Madrid and elite coaching from figures associated with the AEEA (Escuela Española de Alta Especialización).
The federation manages and coordinates use of stadiums like the Centro de Alto Rendimiento (CAR) Madrid, the Estadio de Vallehermoso, and regional centers in Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville. It liaises with municipal venues such as Estadio La Cartuja and university tracks at Universidad de Sevilla for national championships and training camps. High-performance hubs provide biomechanics labs, physiology testing tied to laboratories known from collaborations with the Consejo Superior de Deportes and sports science groups at institutions like the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
The federation implements anti-doping measures consistent with World Anti-Doping Agency Code and coordination with Agencia Española de Protección de la Salud en el Deporte and national anti-doping authorities. Medical oversight includes athlete biological passport management, in-competition and out-of-competition testing for substances listed under WADA protocols, and rehabilitation services linking to clinics and hospitals such as those affiliated with the Hospital Universitario La Paz. Education programs are run jointly with World Athletics and European Athletic Association to promote clean sport and integrity, responding to cases adjudicated by bodies like the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The federation maintains Spanish national records for events recognized by World Athletics, publishes annual awards such as Athlete of the Year honoring champions like Ruth Beitia and Fermín Cacho, and administers age-category record lists for junior and U23 athletes competing at events like the European Athletics U23 Championships. It coordinates national honors with state awards from the Real Orden del Mérito Deportivo and ensures ratification protocols mirror international procedures used at competitions including the World Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games.
Category:Athletics in Spain Category:National governing bodies for athletics