Evaluation of Performances in the World Athletics Championships since 1983: Implications for the Development of Athletics in Africa.

Abstract

African countries have been participating in the World Athletics Championships since 1983 when the IAAF commenced the championships. This study is the evaluation of performances among the World continents in the IAAF championships that was originally a four-year event but now held every two years. The baseline data were the results of the championships in the United Kingdom and Field All-Time records.The data were coded according to the six continents of Africa. North American, South America, Asia, Australia and Europe. The coded data were further classified into fifteen (15) gender specific categories of running, sprints, middle and long distance races, jumps, throwing events and overall performances. The study was essentially a qualitative approach study of the performances. Coded data were therefore analysed using frequencies and simple percentages including bar charts.The results showed that even though Africa trailed behind Europe in all cases, it surpassed performances from America in some cases. However, Africa remained a participant continent as if poses no competition to Europe and all time leading continent in the championships. This is due to the revelation that Africa accounts for less than twenty-five (25) percent champion medal awards of one thousand and fifty-six (1.056) between Helsinki 1983 and Edmonton 2001 of eight championships. Recommendations capable of improving African position and thereby take its performance to greater heights were made particularly in the female category where poorer performances were observed.