In German, the official title of the event is: "12. IAAF Leichtathletik WM berlin 2009™" and in English: "12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™".

The abbreviation IAAF stands for International Association of Athletics Federations, which is made up of the national athletics associations (currently 213 countries, including the DLV (Deutsche Leichtathletik-Verband), the German Athletics Association). The IAAF headquarters is located in the Principality of Monaco.

The IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™ will be the 12th World Championships. The first World Championships took place in 1983 in Helsinki (for more information please see the link to IAAF World Championships history).

Since the beginning of the modern Olympic Games, athletics has formed the core sport of the event, and the World Championships were held as part of the Olympic Games until 1980. Following the commercialisation of athletics, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) began to organise its own World Championships. From 1983 (Helsinki) to 1991 (Tokyo), the IAAF World Championships in Athletics took place every four years; thereafter they were held every two years.

The IAAF World Championships in Athletics will take place on nine consecutive days of events from August 15-23, 2009.

In order to determine the winners (world champions) from among the numerous athletes competing in each discipline, there will be qualification rounds for almost every discipline; there will be qualifying heats, quarter-finals and semi-finals for many of the running and sprint disciplines. In order to complete the expansive scope of the 47 disciplines in only nine days, the competitions will take place in both morning and evening sessions.

The IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™ will be housed in the Berlin Olympic Stadium (seating capacity of 74,218) in the district of Charlottenburg in Berlin.

Moreover, for the first time in the history of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, the marathon and walking competitions will completely take place - including the starts and finishes - in the Berlin city centre.

The first tickets for the different event days are on sale since April 2nd under Tickets or the following hotline: 0180 5 1 2009 1 (0,14 € / Min.).

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is the host organiser of the event.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) conveyed the right to manage the organisation of the event to the German Athletics Association (DLV) and to the state of Berlin. The DLV will manage the organisation of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™.

The Berlin Organising Committee 2009 GmbH (abbreviated: BOC 2009 GmbH) is handling the operative organisation of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™. The German Athletics Association (DLV), which officially founded the BOC in June 2005, is the sole shareholder.

The state of Berlin and the organisers of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™ are already looking forward to welcoming about 2,500 athletes and officials from 213 member associations at one of the most important sporting events in the world.

In order to be able to compete at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™, the athletes must pass the qualifications. The IAAF provides a list of international guidelines for the times, heights, and distances required. In order to allow the participation of athletes from every member association, up to two athletes, including at least one woman, may participate in every discipline regardless of whether or not the qualifying guidelines have been met (excluding the 3000m steeplechase, the 10000 m, heptathlon, and decathlon events).

While there is a separate World Championships in Athletics for disabled athletes, during the IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™ disabled athletes will also be actively competing in demonstration sport events.

As the athletes must first qualify for the IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™, no definite list can be compiled. Assuming that there are no injuries beforehand, the organisers expect the following athletes to participate:

The title of world champion will be given for 47 competititions in August 2009. Separate competitions will take place for both men and women in twenty-four disciplines (with the exception of 50km Walking, for which there is only a men's competition). The following gives an overview of the events (24 men's and 23 women's events).

The top three male and female athletes in each discipline receive medals (gold, silver, and bronze). As there are four men and women in each of the relay events, a total of 59 gold medals are given for the 47 disciplines. The first-place individuals and teams not only receive a gold medal, but are also given the coveted title of world champion. In addition, the champions and next seven rankings also receive graded monetary prizes from the IAAF.

The organisers of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™ expect a total of about 500,000 spectators; that means about 55,000 spectators per day. In addition to the stadium spectators, many Berliners and city visitors will line the streets in order to support the participants in the marathon and walking events.

Yes, the German television stations ARD and ZDF and the production company "Berta" will be providing the television production for the national and international broadcasts to an expected audience of about 4 billion people. ARD and ZDF will report live every day from the IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™. A total of about 100 cameras will catch the happenings at the events.

A total of about 3,500 media representatives will be coming to Berlin to report on the mega-sporting event around the world.

Yes, in front of the Berlin Olympic Stadium there will be a Market Square set up throughout the event, where a colourful programme of entertainment will be offered. In addition, an inviting programme of diverse events and activities will also be offered in the city. Further information will be coming soon.