The 1976 Montreal Olympics athletics program featured 37 events across 1005 athletes from 80 countries, marking the removal of the men's 50km walk after decades.
Key Facts
- Events contested
- 37
- Participating athletes
- 1005
- Countries represented
- 80
- 50km walk in Olympic program since
- 1932
- Host city
- Montreal, Canada
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The IAAF decided to stage its own world championship event for the men's 50 kilometres walk approximately one and a half months after the 1976 Olympics, prompting Olympic organisers to drop the event from the athletics programme despite its continuous inclusion since 1932.
At the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, 37 athletics events were held with 1005 athletes from 80 countries competing. The men's 50 kilometres walk was removed from the programme after featuring in every Games since 1932, reflecting a shift in the relationship between the IOC and the IAAF.
The IAAF's decision to host its own championship for the 50km walk foreshadowed the broader creation of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, which was established in the following years and became an independent global competition separate from the Olympic Games.