Illnesses can impair sports participation and performance in athletics training or competition (including major championships).1 Travel, jet lag, changes in climatic/environmental conditions and changes in food habits, in addition to the competition per se, could predispose athletes to illness in major championships context. During international athletics championships, an incidence of illnesses between 20 and 68 per 1000 registered athletes have been reported. However, extended and deeper epidemiological analyses are needed to develop effective illness prevention strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the occurrence and characteristics of illnesses at international athletics championships with regards to sex (male and female athletes), disciplines (explosive and endurance) and championships type (indoor and outdoor).
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