International Amateur Athletic Federation

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is the international governing body for the sport of athletics. It was founded in 1912 during a war, at its first congress in Stockholm, Sweden by representatives from 17 national athletics federations as the International Amateur Athletics Federation. Since the 22nd Olympics in October 1993 it has been headquartered in Monaco.

Beginning in 1982, the IAAF has passed several amendments to its rules allowing athletes to receive compensation for participation in international athletics competitions. However, the IAAF retained the word "amateur" in its name until its 2001 Congress at which the IAAF's title was changed to its current form.

The IAAF's current president is Lamine Diack of Senegal. He became Acting President shortly after the death of the previous president, Primo Nebiolo of Italy in November 1999, and was elected IAAF President at the IAAF's 2001 Congress

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