[1] The history of ČAS dates back to 1897 when Česká amatérská atletická unie (ČAAU, Czech Amateur Athletic Union) was founded.

Women's athletics, originally governed by handball federation was incorporated into ČAAU in 1928.

After the end of World War II and the re-establishment of Czechoslovakia, hard negotiations took place in order to secure equal position for Slovak athletes who maintained a separate national organization during war years.

This was reflected in name change to Československá amatérská atletická unie (ČSAAU, Czechoslovak Amateur Athletic Union) in 1947.

After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1992 these branches became full scale national governing bodies for athletics in their respective countries.