A total of 44 events were contested, 22 by male and 22 by female athletes.

Two new events were introduced into the programme: the women's 2000 metres steeplechase and the women's 10,000 m track walk (replacing the 5000 m walk event).

Former Ethiopian Elvan Abeylegesse did the 3000/5000 metres double for Turkey, breaking the championship record in the 5000 m. Michał Hodun of Poland took the shot put and discus gold medals, while Belgian athlete Kevin Rans completed an unusual silver medal double at the competition in the 200 m and the pole vault.

Among the athletes who won medals at the competition were Carolina Klüft, Yelena Isinbayeva and Andreas Thorkildsen – all of whom went on to become 2004 Olympic gold medallists.

Elvan Abeylegesse, Anna Chicherova and Marian Oprea also went on to win Olympic medals.