[3] Eritrea won their first world title at these championships, with Ghirmay Ghebreslassie winning the men's marathon.

[5] When the seeking deadline passed on 15 March 2010, three candidate cities (Beijing, London and Chorzów) had confirmed their candidatures.

The event was primarily held at the Beijing National Stadium, which served as the athletics venue during the 2008 Summer Olympics.

*   Host nation (China)Two hundred and seven countries (or, more accurately, IAAF members) with a total of 1,933 athletes were entered.

[61] As was the case since the 2005 World Championships, athletes' doping samples were stored for future analysis, which could allow retrospective disqualifications via subsequent improvements to testing technology and methods.

[61] Initial analysis identified two failed tests, both Kenyan women: hurdler Koki Manunga and sprinter Joy Nakhumicha Sakari.