It was the second time that the event took place in Canada, after the 1988 edition in Sudbury.

Katsiaryna Artsiukh of Belarus, the winner of the women's 400 m hurdles title,[2] had a positive test for Metenolone (a banned steroid) on the day of her victory.

[3] The competition opened the evening of 19 July and, following a ninety-minute light and music presentation, the championships were officially opened by the Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper and Gary Lunn, the Minister for Sport.

One event was held on the first day, the women's 3000 metres, and the Prime Minister awarded Mercy Cherono with the first gold medal of the competition.

[4] *   Host nation (Canada)According to an unofficial count through an unofficial result list,[24] 1313 athletes from 163 countries participated in the event.