What is the difference between the IAAF and the Foundation (IAF)?
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), also based in Monaco, is the world governing body for the sport of track & field athletics. The IAAF is the supreme authority on all matters related to the sport. Although legally and technically separate, the Foundation is indelibly linked to the IAAF and has as its primary objective to charitably assist the world governing body and its affiliated national governing bodies in perpetuating the development and promotion of athletics world-wide.

How can I apply for a grant from the Foundation?
Grants and financial assistance are based on a broad criteria of need, local economic conditions and merit without regard for race, creed, colour, national origin, or sex. Grants are made on an annual basis by the 11-member Foundation Council. Recipients are required to report progress to the Foundation on a regular basis to maintain eligibility. Funding renewal depends on the project endowment and recipient qualifications. For the complete criteria and application form Click Here.

Who decides the Foundation grants?
All Foundation projects and programmes are administered by an Executive Committee and an 11-member Council whose decisions are implemented by a secretariat located in the Principality of Monaco.

How is the Foundation funded?
The Foundation welcomes support from corporate, philanthropic and private donations from around the world.

Can I make a donation?
The Foundation welcomes any form of support. For corporate or larger individual donors, the Foundation has created a set of Donation Guidelines. For more information, contact us by email or fax.

Where do the Foundation's activities take place?
The Foundation's activities are truly global with projects taking place on all the six continents and activities reaching millions of young people and hundreds of countries around the world.

How are the Athletes of the Year decided?
The Foundation solicits the assistance of a select panel of international experts on athletics in making nominations for the prestigious Athlete of the Year award. The panellists are invited to nominate ten male and ten female athletes from which, a final list of 20 nominees are invited to attend the annual World Athletics Gala in Monte Carlo. The panellists are not provided with any specific guidelines or criteria for their choices, but are simply encouraged to make nominations on a wide range of factors including major victories, performance, head-to-head competition, but also on image the athletes have projected of themselves and their sport. On the day before the Gala, the Foundation Council then acts as the jury in making the final choice for the Male and Female Athletes of the Year, which are announced during the live television broadcast of the Gala.

Who decides the Athlete of the Year?
The International Athletic Foundation Council based on nominations received from a panel of international experts.

When are the Athletes of the Year decided?
The Foundation Council decides the winners on the day before the World Athletics Gala - this year on November 24th. The winners are only announced during the live broadcast of the Gala (on November 25th).

Who are the past winners?
See details in Awards

Does the Foundation give other awards?
Yes, including an award for promising young athletes called "The Rising Star" and one for lifetime achievement called the "Primo Nebiolo Award". For more details, see Awards.

Where can I see the Gala on TV?
The Gala will be broadcast live or delayed in over 80 countries around the world. See Broadcast Info in the Gala section of this web site. For further information, check your local listings for exact times and schedule.