Athletics

Athletics is a sport that includes a number of events involving running, jumping, throwing or walking. Often referred to as track & field. ¹

Although athletics has been part of human activity for centuries, the earliest recorded Olympic event was the “stadion” race, a sprint of about 192 metres, with winners recorded as early as 776 BC. ¹

Australia’s first recorded athletics competition took place in Sydney in 1810. In 1897, the Amateur Athletic Union of Australasia was established as the first national body to govern athletics in both Australia and New Zealand. ²

Discover more about athletics through the Clearinghouse evidence base:

• Modified Sports - adaptations that make athletics more inclusive and accessible.
• Australian Sport History - links to the history of athletics and its Hall of Fame.