World Athletics Day is annually celebrated across the globe on 7th May to promote the participation of youths in athletics. The day aims to raise awareness about the benefits of physical activity and encourage young and school children to take up athletics.
- The annual observance is led by the World Athletics, formerly the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) (from 2001 to 2019), and the International Amateur Athletic Federation (1912–2001).
Theme:
The theme for World Athletics Day 2024 is “World Mile Challenge”.
- The 2024 theme focuses on running, jogging, or walking a mile. This also commemorates the 70th anniversary of Sir Roger Bannister, who ran a mile in under four minutes in May 1954 and became the first man to run a sub-four-minute mile.
Background:
i.IAAF, the world governing body for the sport of track and field athletics, introduced World Athletics Day as a social responsibility titled “Athletics for a Better World.”
ii.The 1st ever World Athletics Day was observed on 15th May 1996.
- The event was launched by the late Primo Nebiolo, the then-president of IAAF. Around 50 countries participated in the inaugural World Athletics Day.
Significance:
The day serves as a global celebration of the sport, bringing together athletes, coaches, and enthusiasts across the globe to promote the values of athleticism.
The day also offers a platform for grassroots development by providing opportunities for young athletes to showcase their talent.
Kids’ Athletics Day 2024 – 7th May
Kids’ Athletics Day is annually observed across the globe on 7th May to encourage children and young people to play sports, especially athletics.
Kids’ Athletics Day is an important feature of the World Athletics’ Kids’ Athletics programme, a free and exciting programme to inspire children and young people across the moving world.
- 2024 theme of Kids’ Athletics Day is “World Mile Challenge”.
Kids’ Athletics:
i.Kids’ Athletics, created in 2002, is one of the biggest grassroots development programmes in the world of sport.
ii.The programme has been implemented by more than 100 Member Federations.
About World Athletics:
World Athletics (or IAAF) was established on 17 July 1912, in Stockholm, Sweden, following the Olympic Games closing ceremony.
President – Sebastian COE
Headquarters– Monaco
