More than 200 countries will be represented in Seville 99
12 August 1999 - MONACO - Monte Carlo A total of 203 countries have confirmed their
participation in the 7th IAAF World Championships in Athletics which will take
place in Seville, Spain from 20 to 29 August.
This is a record figure for the IAAF World Championships. No other sporting competition has been attended by so many different nations. The previous record was set at the 6th IAAF World Championships, held in Athens in 1997 which was attended by 198 nations. The 1996 Olympic Games involved the participation of 197 nations, in itself a record for the Olympics. 153 nations attended the inaugural IAAF World Championships in 1983.
Approximately 2000 athletes 1159 men and 785 women - will compete in Seville. Over 1000 officials will accompany the teams.
In Seville 99, two events will be held for the first time in the history of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics: the womens pole vault and the womens hammer throw.