World Athletics

World Athletics is the umbrella organization of all national athletics organizations worldwide. It is headquartered in Monaco, and administers all aspects of athletics sport globally. Numerous countries are affiliated with World Athletics, with many national federations being members of this global organization.

In light of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, World Athletics suspended athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing at any World Athletics events, and suspended all officials from these countries from officiating at any event sanctioned by World Athletics, as well as from attending or participating in any World Athletics meetings, committees, and forums. In March 2023, the Russian Athletics Federation sent a letter addressing World Athletics and urging them to reverse the decision and allow Russian athletes to compete in World Athletics events. The RAF's statement included claims that the war was actually started by Ukraine and that 'Russia defends peace'. In May 2023, World Athletics reinstated Russian and Belarusian athletes, shortly after a Russian missile attack forced the cancellation of an athletics event in Ukraine.

Track and Field

• Sprints, featuring short-distance races (World Championships since 1983)
• World Athletics U20 Championships from 1986
• World Athletics U18 Championships from 1999 to 2017
• World Masters Athletics Championships
• Middle-distance races (World Championships since 1983)
• World Masters Athletics Championships
• World Athletics Half Marathon Championships
• Relay races
• Hurdling (World Championships since 1983)
• Para athletics
• Racewalking

Field

• Jumps, such as long jump and high jump (World Championships since 1983)
• Throws, such as shot put and discus throw
• Pole vault
• Multi-events, such as decathlon and heptathlon (since 1983)

Road

• Marathons, including the World Marathon Majors (World Championships since 1983)
• Half marathons (World Championships since 1992)
• Road running races of varying distances (World Championships since 1983)

Combined and Multi-discipline

• Decathlon and heptathlon
• World Athletics Combined Events Challenge from 1998

There are five continental associations affiliated with World Athletics. These associations are responsible for organizing continental championships, providing support for their member federations, and communicating their interests at the World Athletics Board meetings.

• Asian Athletics Association
• African Athletics Confederation
• European Athletics Association
• Oceania Athletics Association
• Pan American Athletics Federation

World Athletics: Official website of World Athletics, the international governing body for the sport of athletics. https://www.worldathletics.org/

Russian invasion of Ukraine 2022: Comprehensive news coverage about the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/crr7mlg0rpvt/ukraine