Track and field is a sport in which athletes compete in running, walking, jumping, and throwing events. Track events consist of running and walking races of various distances. Field events are contests in jumping or throwing. Track and field meets can be held indoors or outdoors. Men and women compete separately in a meet. In countries other than the United States, track and field is often called the sport of athletics.
Track and field is one of the most popular sports in the world. More than 200 nations belong to the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), the governing body of track and field. The IAAF recognizes world records in 71 men's and women's events. The organization accepts world records in metric distances only, except for the mile run.
