The athletics program traces its earliest roots to events used in the ancient Greek Olympics.

Cross country running was also on the program in earlier editions but it was dropped after the 1924 Summer Olympics.

The athletic triathlon (an unusual event, held only once and featuring gymnasts competing in the long jump, shot put, and 100 metre dash) and pentathlon multi-discipline events were phased out in favor of the decathlon, and the medley relay replaced with even-leg relays.

Standing jump competitions are no longer held, nor are the various modified throwing events which were experimented with in 1908 and 1912.

Cross country running was on the program from 1912 to 1924 and is the most prominent form of athletics not to feature at the Olympics.