AthletesCAN is the association representing Canada’s national team athletes and is the only fully independent and inclusive athlete organization in the country and the first organization of its kind in the world. AthletesCAN represents all athletes from all of Canada's national teams including Aboriginal, Paralympic, Pan American Games, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games athletes, among others. AthletesCAN is an active and proud corporation.
The sport governing body for track and field in Canada, which is now called Athletics Canada, was established in 1884. It is one of the oldest affiliated bodies with the International Association of Athletics Federations (I.A.A.F.). Only the association of Great Britain (1880) has been in existence for a longer period of time. New Zealand followed in 1887 and the U.S.A. in 1888.
Since its inception in 1999, UK Athletics has developed to become the most successful and robust athletics governing body in the world. As the national governing body for athletics, UK Athletics oversees the development and management of the nation’s favourite Olympic sport, from grassroots right through to podium. Over the years it has matured to generate a clear vision for the sport.
Athletics is a foundation sport involving running, jumping, throwing and walking. These core skills are integrated into all aspects of athletics coaching and competing. Athletics New Zealand's role as the National Sporting Organisation for athletics is to help New Zealanders enjoy athletic activities whether this involves regular competitive involvement, casual participation or occasional exercise.
