World Athletics Day is celebrated on 7 May to boost participation in athletics among youngsters. The date of observation is subjected to change as International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) decides the date every year, but the month remains the same which is May.
World Athletics Day falls under the social responsibility project of IAAF ‘Athletics for a Better World.’ The day is observed to make people aware of the various health issues and to promote physical fitness.
The day also aims to establish a link between the youth, sport, and environmental conservation.
World Athletics Day was celebrated for the first time in the year 1996. The observation of the day was initiated by Primo Nebiolo, the then-president of IAAF.
Several competitions take place on the day with the most common types are track and field, road running, race walking and cross country running, etc.
World Athletics was formerly known as the International Amateur Athletic Federation. It was formed on 17 July 1912. The headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden.
It governs the sport of athletics, covering track and field, road running, racewalking, mountain running and ultrarunning, and cross country running.
