World Athletics Day is important since it promotes a healthy lifestyle. (Image: Shutterstock)
World Athletics Day aims to raise awareness of the value of athletic competitions as a welcoming environment for people of all abilities, regardless of the outcome.
World Athletics Day is marked on May 7 annually to promote sports participation around the world. The fundamental goal of this day is to instill athleticism in young people. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) founded World Athletics Day as a social responsibility project called ‘Athletics for a Better World’.
This day is extremely important since it encourages fitness and good health. Many schools and universities commemorate World Athletics Day by holding sports tournaments. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is India’s principal governing body for athletics. On this day, AFI organises many big national and international sporting events, as well as promotes sports throughout the country.
World Athletics Day 2024: Theme
This year the theme for World Athletics Day is – ‘World Mile Challenge’. This year’s focus is on running, jogging, or walking a mile to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Roger Bannister’s (the first man to run a sub-four-minute mile) on May 6, 1954.
To encourage participants to ‘go the extra mile’, a ‘total miles run’ calculator will be available between May 1 and May 19, calculating the miles logged in real-time so that all participants may watch their collective progress.
World Athletics Day 2024: Quotes to Share
- “The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.” – Ernie Banks.
- “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” – Dean Karnazes, ultramarathon runner.
- “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” – John Bingham, No Need for Speed: A Beginner’s Guide to the Joy of Running (book name).
- “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky.
- “I’ll be happy if I run and I can grow old together.” – Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (book name).
- “You have to set yourself goals so you can push yourself harder. Desire is the key to success. I work hard, and I do good, and I’m going to enjoy myself. I work hard, and I do good, and I’m going to enjoy myself. I’m not going to let restrict me.” — Usain Bolt, eight-time Olympic gold medallist
World Athletics Day 2024: History
Primo Nebiolo, president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and an Italian sports administrator, founded World Athletics Day in 1996. The IAAF was created on July 17, 1912, in Stockholm, Sweden. World Athletics took its current moniker in 2019.
It is currently based in Monaco and acts as the worldwide regulatory body for athletics, which includes track and field competitions. It governs contests and sets official world records, as well as standardising sports equipment.
World Athletics Day 2024: Significance
World Athletics Day aims to highlight the importance of athletic events as an inclusive activity for everyone, regardless of the outcome. The day emphasises the value of full involvement in athletics, such as road running, school sports, and social responsibility. It also promotes awareness of our surroundings and how they influence our physical ability.
