Athletics as practiced today was born and grew to maturity in England. The first mention of the sport in England was recorded in 1154, when practice fields were first established in London. The sport was banned by King Edward III in the 1300s but revived a century later by Henry VIII, reputed to be an accomplished hammer thrower.

Athletics can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome. These civilizations organized athletic events as part of religious festivals and to honour their gods. The Ancient Greeks, in particular, celebrated the human body and emphasized the importance of physical fitness and training.

Historians estimate that the origins of athletics (track and field events) can be traced back to the 9th and 10th centuries B.C. in Greece. By the year 776 B.C., athletics had become popular enough that it was included in the first-ever Ancient Olympic Games held in Olympia, Greece.