IAAF

The IAAF, originally standing for the International Amateur Athletic Federation, is the international governing body for the sport of athletics, which includes track and field, road running, cross country, and racewalking. It was founded in 1912 and has historically overseen the development of rules, equipment standards, and international competition in athletics. The organisation is headquartered in Monaco and has national associations as its members.

The IAAF is responsible for maintaining athletic rules, certifying world records, and regulating international competition. It appoints referees and officials, standardizes formats for events, and coordinates the calendar for major championships. The federation also promotes the development of athletes and coaches, supports anti-doping initiatives, and works with other bodies to safeguard the integrity of the sport. Its governance structure typically includes a council or congress made up of member federations, with a president and other officers overseeing various discipline-specific commissions.

Major competitions historically governed by the IAAF include the World Championships in Athletics and its indoor counterpart, as well as cross country and road running championships. The federation has also overseen the Diamond League and other global circuits that organize top-level meetings and athlete rankings. In 2019, the IAAF adopted the World Athletics branding and is commonly referred to as World Athletics in contemporary contexts, though the historical acronym IAAF remains part of its legacy and is still used in older references.

World Athletics continues to work within the Olympic Movement and collaborates with World Anti-Doping Agency and national federations to advance the sport while addressing governance, eligibility, and integrity concerns.