AREA ASSOCIATION RULES(Approved by the Council on 29 November 2022,
effective from 01 July 2023)

Book B –B2.1

Specific Definitions
The words and phrases used in these Rules that are defined terms (denoted by initial capitalletters) shall have the meanings specified in the Constitution and the Generally Applicable
Definitions, and (in respect of the following words and phrases) the following meanings:“Annual Report” means the report as prescribed (as amended from time to time) by the Chief
Executive Officer, required by Area Associations under Rule 6.9 shall be reported to World
Athletics.
“Area Meeting” has the same meaning as defined in the Constitution.
“Area Official” has the same meaning as defined in the Constitution.
“Chief Executive Officer” has the same meaning as defined in the Constitution.
“Competition and Technical Rules” means the World Athletics Competition and TechnicalRules a copy of which can be found: https://www.worldathletics.org/aboutiaaf/documents/book-of-rules (Book C)“Election Congress” has the same meaning as defined in the Constitution.
“Ineligible” has the same meaning as defined in the Vetting Rules.
“Member Federation Official” has the same meaning as defined in the Constitution.
“Purposes” has the same meaning as defined in the Constitution.
“Region” means a geographical area within an Area, as defined by the constitution of an Area
Association.

World Athletics Area Association Rules (approved 29 November 2022, effective from 01 July 2023)

Book B –B2.1

1. Overview
1.1. The purposes of World Athletics include to:
1.1.1
1.1.2

encourage and support the development, organisation and delivery of Athletics
worldwide through its Area Associations and Member Federations (Article 4.1(g)of the Constitution); and,support and assist Area Associations and Member Federations to promote anddevelop Athletics (Article 4.1(h) of the Constitution).

1.2. The Area Associations are entities that are delegated authority by World Athletics to makedecisions in their respective Areas in accordance with the Constitution, Rules andRegulations (Article 19.1 of the Constitution).
1.3. There are six (6) associations each responsible for an Area as follows:
Area

Area Association

AfricaConfederationofAfricanAthletics (CAA)
Asian
Athletics
Association
(AAA)

Asia
EuropeEuropean Athletics (EA)

North
America,
Central America &Caribbean
Oceania

North
American,CentralAmericanandCaribbean
Athletics Association (NACAC)
Oceania Athletics Association(OAA)
Atletismo Sudamericano (AS)South America

1.4. These Area Association Rules (“these Rules”) explain the procedures and specificrequirements applicable to Area Associations’ roles and responsibilities including theirauthority, rights and obligations and other related matters.
1.5. All references in these Rules to ‘the Constitution’, ‘the Council’, ‘the Executive Board’,‘Vetting Panel’, ‘Candidacy Rules’, ‘Vetting Rules’ and ‘Disciplinary Tribunal’ shall mean
to those of World Athletics unless expressly stated otherwise.
2. Purpose of these Rules
2.1. The purpose of these Rules is to supplement the Constitution and, where applicable,
subject to local laws, national policy or other national requirements of the Country in which
the Area Association is established, to set out the procedures and specific requirements
in relation to:
2.1.1. the roles and responsibilities of Area Associations including their authority;
2.1.2. the rights of Area Associations;2.1.3. the obligations of Area Associations;

World Athletics Area Association Rules (approved 29 November 2022, effective from 01 July 2023)

Book B –B2.1

2.1.4. the procedures for resolving disputes between Member Federations in the Area or
between the Area Association and a Member Federation; and,2.1.5. other related matters.
3. Application of these Rules
3.1. These Rules apply to:
3.1.1. Area Associations; and,3.1.2. Area Officials and staff.
4. Role of Area Associations (Article 20)
4.1. In addition to the roles set out in Article 20.1 of the Constitution, each Area Association
shall be responsible for:4.1.1. establishing, managing and publishing an annual calendar of the International
Competitions, Area Competitions and other competitions including regional andgroup games held at an Area level or within its Area. This calendar shall include
the national championships of all of its members and any other intra-Area
competitions;4.1.2. issuing Area Association Permits for International Competitions and International
Meetings to be held in its Area (in accordance with the Competition Rules);
4.1.3. any other matters that are delegated to it by Council or the Executive Board.
5. Rights of Area Associations (Article 21)
5.1. The rights of Area Associations are set out in Article 21.1 of the Constitution and in theRules and Regulations.
5.2. The Council may, in its discretion, grant additional rights and privileges to Area
Associations, from time to time, including but not limited to providing any financial support
to Area Associations.
6. Obligations of Area Associations (Article 22)
6.1. Manage Area Competitions (Article 22.1(b)): Each Area Association shall “manage andorganise Area Competitions”. This Rule sets out the requirements for Area Competitions:6.1.1. each Area Association shall hold at least every two calendar years at least one
senior Area Championships in a Country or Territory in the Area, in which athletes
from every Member Federation in the Area are entitled to participate as specified in
the constitution or rules of each Area Association;
6.1.2. Area Associations shall organise or manage other Area Competitions including
Regional or Group games in which athletes from Member Federations from regions
or groups within the Area compete;World Athletics Area Association Rules (approved 29 November 2022, effective from 01 July 2023)

Book B –B2.1

6.1.3. Area Competitions shall be managed and controlled in accordance with theCompetition and Technical Rules;
6.1.4. each Area Association shall report on these obligations in its Annual Report, in
accordance with Rule 6.7.
6.2. Elections (Article 22.1(e): Unless the laws of the Country in which the Area Association
is established state otherwise, the following Rules shall apply to the obligations to holdelections as set out in the Constitution, and be specified in the constitution or rules of each
Area Association:
6.2.1. must have its Area President democratically elected at an Area Meeting;
6.2.2. other elected individual members of the Area Council including vice-president(s)must be democratically elected. If a vice-president(s) represents a Region and iselected at a general meeting of a regional body then Rule 6.2.4 below applies;
6.2.3. any other members of the Area Council may be appointed or co-opted inaccordance with the procedures set out in the Area Association’s constitution orrules;
6.2.4. a representative of a Region on the Area Council must be democratically electedby Member Federations within the Region at the regional bodies’ general meeting.
Such elections must be conducted on the same basis as set out in these Rules;
6.2.5. Area Council elections must be held at an Area Meeting at least once every four(4) years in advance of the Election Congress so that the identity of the Area
President who will sit on the Council is known before that Election Congress;
6.2.6. there should be a proper opportunity and procedure for submission of applications
and nominations from candidates to be elected;
6.2.7. voting at elections must be verified by scrutineers; and6.2.8. each person proposing to be a Candidate for the position of ‘Area President’ must
be determined by the Vetting Panel to be Eligible to stand for election. Any
undefined terms in this Rule 6.2.5 shall have the same meaning as stated in the
Candidacy Rules and Vetting Rules.
6.3. Area Meetings (Article 22.1(f)): Unless the laws of the Country in which the Area
Association is established state otherwise, the following Rules shall apply to the obligation
to hold Area Meetings as set out in the Constitution, and be specified in the constitution
or rules of each Area Association:
6.3.1. written notice of each Area Meeting must be given to all members and persons
entitled to attend and, as prescribed by the Area Association’s constitution or rules,
receive such notice and at the same time a copy of the written notice and all
documentation be sent to the President and Chief Executive Officer;
6.3.2. where an Area Association proposes to amend the Area Association’s constitution
the proposed amendments shall be clearly marked (e.g. by underline, strike out, orother form of clear designation) and circulated with the documentation inaccordance with Rule 6.3.1 above. World Athletics will notify the Area Associationof any inconsistency or inconsistencies (with World Athletics’ Constitution and Rules

World Athletics Area Association Rules (approved 29 November 2022, effective from 01 July 2023)

Book B –B2.1

and Regulations) and the Area Association shall make any changes required byWorld Athletics to remedy it/them within the timescale agreed between the Area
Association and World Athletics;
6.3.3. each member or person entitled by the Area Association’s constitution or rules canattend and speak on all motions and resolutions made at the Area Meeting;
6.3.4. each member or person entitled by the Area Association’s constitution or rules withvoting rights, can vote on all motions and resolutions made at the Area Meeting;
6.3.5. all members or persons entitled by the Area Association’s constitution or rules must
be notified in writing about the agenda and the proposed motions or resolutions to
be decided at each Area Meeting;
6.3.6. the procedures for voting at each Area Meeting, including the voting majority andthreshold shall be stated in the constitution or rules;
6.3.7. the quorum for an Area Meeting shall be stated in the Area Association’sconstitution;
6.3.8. a summary of the key information and decisions taken at the Area Meeting must be
sent to all members and persons as specified in the Area Association’s constitution
or rules and the President and Chief Executive Officer within three (3) months of theend of the relevant meeting. Where information and decisions are not in either
English or French they must be translated into either English or French;
6.3.9. minutes of each Area Meeting shall be taken, and a copy sent to the members of
the Area Association and the President and Chief Executive Officer within six (6)months of the relevant Area Meeting (or such other time as is required by the Area
Association’s constitution). Where minutes are not in either English or French theymust be translated into either English or French.
6.4. Supply of Information (Article 22.1(g)): Each Area Association must supply to the Chief
Executive Officer (or their nominee):
6.4.1. documents such as, but not limited to, those related to its Area Meetings, convening
notice, agenda, minutes of the Area Meeting, attendance sheets of voting
delegates, and, if applicable, list of candidates to the different positions available atthe Area Association and associated Area Association rules governing an election
procedures, and documentation and minutes concerning Area Council meetings.
Where such documents concern an Area Meeting or Area Council meeting the
supply of them shall be prior to such meetings;
6.4.2. such other information as required by Constitution, these Rules or any otherapplicable Rules or Regulations.
6.5. Central Office and Legal Entity (Article 22.1(d) & (h)):
6.5.1. An Area Association must be established as any type of legal entity in accordancewith the laws of the Country in which it is based, provided that the entity has
members and its membership include the Member Federations in its Area (inaccordance with Article 19.3 of the Constitution);
6.5.2. each Area Association shall supply to World Athletics a copy of the certificate, orother official document(s), certifying the establishment of the Area Association as a

World Athletics Area Association Rules (approved 29 November 2022, effective from 01 July 2023)

Book B –B2.1

legal entity and its registration or other equivalent process in the Country in which itis established, including any registration number or other numbers of identificationand the full postal address of its central office and any changes to these shall be
notified to the Chief Executive Officer within twenty (20) days of the any suchchange occurring;
6.5.3. each Area Association shall supply the full legal name, and registration or otheridentification number, of any entity in which the Area Association has a controllinginterest; any changes to these entities or new entities shall be notified to the Chief
Executive Officer within twenty (20) days of any such change occurring;
6.5.4. each Area Association shall notify the Chief Executive Officer within seven (7) days
if it is informed by a governmental authority that it has been, or will be dissolved,
wound up (whether due to a merger, amalgamation or otherwise), or as aconsequence of it no longer being properly constituted under the law applicable to
the Country in which it is based and shall notify the Chief Executive Officer of thesteps it intends to take (if any) to resolve the situation and provide all relevant
documentation to the Chief Executive Officer.
6.6. Constitution (Article 22.1(i)):
6.6.1. Pursuant to Rule 6.4.2, each Area Association must submit to the Chief Executive
Officer within three (3) months of approval by its members any new or amended
constitution, whether amended or new, the entire constitution. Where theconstitution is not in either English or French it must be translated into either English
or French.
6.6.2. The Area Association’s constitution specifies a process for filling vacancies on the
Area Council.
6.7. Annual Report (Article 22.1(j)):
6.7.1. Each year Area Associations must submit a written Annual Report in accordancewith the form prescribed by World Athletics from time to time.
6.7.2. Any information required in accordance with Rule 6.7.1 above must be submitted
by the president or chief executive officer of the Area Association to the Chief
Executive Officer (or their nominee) by the due date.
6.8. Website: Area Associations shall have a website for the Area Association in which its
Member Federations are listed.
6.9. Developments: Area Associations shall keep World Athletics up to date with information
on any significant developments in the Area Association which may impact on the Area
Association’s ability to fulfil its obligations or otherwise about issues, concerns ordevelopments concerning Member Federations, Member Federation Officials and Area
Official.
6.10. Assistance (Article 12.2(b)): Area Associations shall if requested by World Athletics,
help World Athletics if it decides to intervene in a Member Federation (under Article 12.2(b) of the Constitution).

World Athletics Area Association Rules (approved 29 November 2022, effective from 01 July 2023)

Book B –B2.1

6.11. Integrity and Governance (Article 22.1(a)): Area Associations are obliged toadminister, promote and develop Athletics within their respective Areas in accordancewith the Purposes of World Athletics set out in the Constitution.
6.11.1. one of those purposes is to protect the integrity of Athletics by developing andenforcing standards of conduct and ethical behaviour and implementing better
governance; to this end Area Associations must recognise the decisions of theDisciplinary Tribunal (whether in relation to Anti-Doping Violations or NonDoping Violations) and either:a.
b.

not elect or appoint any person as an Area Official who would besuspended in relation to the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal for theperiod stated in the said decision; orremove the Area Official concerned by the decision of the Disciplinary
Tribunal from office until the outcome of the proceedings, including any
appeals process;6.11.2. if notified, pursuant to Rule 11 of the Vetting Rules, that one of their Area
Officials has been found Ineligible by the Vetting Panel, and in the opinion of
the Vetting Panel, the issues identified by the Vetting Panel are so serious that
the Area Official should no longer hold office or be eligible to stand for office as
an Area Official, remove that Area Official from office and/or prevent that Area
Official from standing for office as an Area Official.
6.12. Safeguarding: Each Area Association shall comply with any mandatory minimum
standards and associated key performance indicators published by World Athletics that
relate to safeguarding individuals involved in Athletics (i.e. athletes, support staff,
officials, volunteers, board members, etc.) in accordance with such policies, procedures
and applicable Rules and Regulations.
6.13. Other Rules and Policies (Article 22.1(c)): Each Area Association shall comply withall applicable Rules and Regulations and any applicable policies and procedures
published by World Athletics as are prescribed by World Athletics as applying to Area
Associations.
7. Disputes involving Area Associations (Article 84)
7.1. Under Articles 84.1 and 84.2(b) of the Constitution, in the event there is a dispute ordifference between:
7.1.1. a Member Federation or Member Federations and an Area Association; or7.1.2. Area Associations;(a "Dispute"), Council may take reasonable steps to assist in the resolution of such
Disputes. This Rule 7 sets out the steps that Member Federations and Area Associations
must take in such circumstances and the steps World Athletics may elect to take. For
the avoidance of doubt, World Athletics is neither a decision-making body nor an appeal
body in respect of such Disputes.
7.2. Notification for Assistance: In the event of a Dispute between the parties described inRule 7.1.1 or 7.1.2 (“Disputing Parties”), either of the Disputing Parties may notify the
Chief Executive Officer of the Dispute in writing, giving brief details of the Disputing
Parties’ respective positions. Where the Dispute is:World Athletics Area Association Rules (approved 29 November 2022, effective from 01 July 2023)

Book B –B2.1

7.2.1. between Member Federations from the same Area Association and the Area
Association has not been informed of or previously involved in any attempt toresolving the Dispute then, in the first instance, the Dispute will be referred to
the Area Association to resolve the Dispute;
7.2.2. between a Member Federation or Member Federations and their Area
Association and the Dispute has not been through the Area Association’s
dispute resolution rules and procedures then, in the first instance, the Dispute
will be referred to the Area Association to resolve the Dispute;in accordance with the Area Association’s dispute resolution rules andprocedures or either, where Rule 7.2.1 applies, other dispute resolution processagreed between the Member Federations or, where Rule 7.2.2 applies, otherdispute resolution process agreed between the Member Federation or Member
Federations and the Area Association. World Athletics will liaise with therelevant Area Association to collaborate and work together to agree suchreasonable steps as are necessary to assist in the resolution of the Dispute.
7.3. Upon notification under Rule 7.2 the Disputing Parties shall provide:
7.3.1. information confirming that they have taken all necessary action to resolve the
Dispute themselves;
7.3.2. a summary of the Dispute and the Disputing Parties respective positions; and/or
7.3.3. any and all other information that may assist Council in understanding the
Dispute,(together, the "Dispute Information").
7.4. Referral to Dispute Resolution Processes: Upon review of the Dispute Information,subject to Rules 7.2.1 and 7.2.2, the Chief Executive Officer may either:
7.4.1. refer the matter for resolution whether by mediation or by a suitably qualified
person or persons or an entity which provides such services (“the Dispute
Resolution Process”) the Area Associations and/or Member Federations (asthe case may be) will be required to comply with any rules stipulated by the
person appointed to conduct the Dispute Resolution Process; or
7.4.2. appoint one or more Council Members (the "Appointed Member") inaccordance with Rule 7.5 below (the "Appointed Member Process").
7.5. Appointed Member Process: The Appointed Member Process is intended to be a lessformal process whereby the Appointed Member acts as an independent third party toassist in the settlement of Disputes and the negotiations between Disputing Parties.
7.6. Should the Chief Executive Officer elect to refer the Dispute to the Appointed Member
Process pursuant to Rule 7.4.2 above, the Chief Executive Officer will appoint the
Appointed Member, and the Disputing Parties will be notified within fourteen (14) daysof such appointment. An Appointed Member from Council must not have any current or
previous association (in the last five (5) years) with either of the Disputing Parties.

World Athletics Area Association Rules (approved 29 November 2022, effective from 01 July 2023)

Book B –B2.1

7.7. The Disputing Parties must co-operate and assist the Appointed Member in their workin resolving the Dispute and:7.7.1. provide information/documentation,
7.7.2. attend meetings and/or hearings, whether in-person or by video or telephone;
and/or,7.7.3. abide by any other steps or deadlines,
the Appointed Member requests from or directs to the Disputing Parties.
7.8. The Appointed Member Process will be at an end when, either:
7.8.1. the Dispute has been resolved in writing and has been signed by the Disputing
Parties; or
7.8.2. the Appointed Member informs the Disputing Parties that, in their judgment, theAppointed Member Process will not resolve the Dispute.
7.9. Costs:
7.9.1. The payment of the costs of any Dispute Resolution Process will be determinedby the person appointed to conduct the Dispute Resolution Process and in theabsence of any determination will be shared equally between the Disputing
Parties.
7.9.2. The costs of the Appointed Member will be shared equally between the
Disputing Parties unless the Chief Executive Officer agrees that World Athletics
pay the costs of the Appointed Member.
7.9.3. In either of the circumstances in Rule 7.9.1 or 7.9.2, the Disputing Parties will
pay their own legal costs and any other costs or expenses.
8. Disputes between Member Federations within an Area: An Area Association may
either on its own initiative and independently of World Athletics, resolve either any disputes
between Member Federations from the Area in accordance with the Area Association’s
dispute resolution rules and procedures or other dispute resolution process agreed
between the Member Federations concerned as directed, guided and supported by the
Area Association.
9. Internal Disputes within a Member Federation
9.1. In the event of a dispute between Member Federation Officials within a Member
Federation (an “Internal Member Federation Dispute”), Member Federations are
obliged by Rule 11 of the Member Federation Rules to resolve such Internal Member
Federation Disputes as quickly as possible. Where such disputes are referred to World
Athletics in the first instance, nothing in the above shall prevent World Athletics consultingwith and referring such disputes to an Area Association in accordance with Rule 9.2.
9.2. World Athletics will consult with and refer the Internal Member Federation Dispute to the
Area Association to resolve the Internal Member Federation Dispute, independently ofWorld Athletics, in accordance with the Member Federation’s dispute resolution
procedures or any other agreed dispute resolution procedure as directed, guided andWorld Athletics Area Association Rules (approved 29 November 2022, effective from 01 July 2023)

Book B –B2.1

supported by the Area Association. Member Federations are obliged to co-operate with
the Area Association of which they are a member and take such steps as are required bythat Area Association to resolve the Internal Member Federation Dispute.
10. Breaches of obligations by Area Associations (Articles 20 – 23)
10.1. The obligation on Area Associations to comply with these Rules is set out at Articles 20
to 22 of the Constitution. The Council has the power to impose the sanctions for breachof obligations by any Area Association, under Article 23.2 of the Constitution.
10.2. Before the Council can impose a sanction pursuant to Rule 10.1, the procedure set out
in Article 23.4 of the Constitution must be followed.

World Athletics Area Association Rules (approved 29 November 2022, effective from 01 July 2023)