1997 World Championships in Athletics — 1997 edition of the World Championships in Athletics
The 6th World Championships in Athletics brought together 1,882 athletes from 198 nations in Athens, introducing wild-card entries for defending champions.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 6th World Championships in Athletics
- Dates
- 1–10 August 1997
- Participating athletes
- 1,882 athletes
- Participating nations
- 198 nations
- Venue
- Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece
- Wild-card rule introduced
- Defending champions guaranteed entry
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Athens was selected to host the 6th World Championships in Athletics under the auspices of the International Association of Athletic Federations. The championships provided a global stage for elite track and field competition, drawing teams from nearly every corner of the world.
From 1 to 10 August 1997, the Olympic Stadium in Athens hosted 1,882 athletes representing 198 nations competing across athletics disciplines. It was the first edition in which defending champions received wild-card entries regardless of national team qualification, occasionally allowing four athletes from the same country in a single individual event.
The introduction of the wild-card system for defending champions set a new precedent for athlete eligibility in major athletics championships, ensuring that title-holders could defend their status irrespective of national selection standards, a policy that influenced subsequent editions of the event.
Result
at Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece