 The IAAF ratifies track and field world records if they meet their set criteria . The IAAF first published a world records list in 1914 , initially for men 's events only . There were 53 recognised records in running , hurdling and relay , and 12 field records . World records in women 's events began in 1936 as more events were gradually added to the list , but significant changes were made in the late 1970s . First , all records in imperial measurements were abandoned in 1976 , with the sole exceptional being the mile run due to the prestige and history of the event . The following year , all world records in sprint events would only be recognised if fully automatic electronic timing was used ( as opposed to the traditional hand @-@ timing stopwatch method ) . In 1981 , electronic timing was made compulsory for all world record runs in track and field , with times being recorded to within one hundredth of a second . Two additional types of world record were introduced in 1987 : world records for indoor competitions , and world records for junior athletes under 20 years old . 
 The IAAF ratifies track and field world records if they meet their set criteria . The IAAF first published a world records list in 1914 , initially for men <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>events only . <a href='dey_it' title='2'><mark>There</mark></a> <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> 53 recognised records in running , hurdling and relay , and 12 field records . World records in women <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>events began in 1936 as more events <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>were</mark></a> gradually added to the list , but significant changes <a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>were</mark></a> made in the late 1970s . First , all records in imperial measurements <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>were</mark></a> abandoned in 1976 , with the sole exceptional being the mile run due to the prestige and history of the event . The following year , all world <a href='uninflect' title='8'><mark>records</mark></a> in sprint events would only be recognised if fully automatic electronic timing was used ( as opposed to the traditional hand @-@ timing stopwatch method ) . In 1981 , electronic timing was made compulsory for all world record runs in track and field , with times being recorded to within one hundredth of a second . Two additional types of world record <a href='uninflect' title='9'><mark>were</mark></a> introduced in 1987 : world records for indoor competitions , and world records for junior athletes under 20 years old . 
Da IAAF ratifies track and field world records if they meet their set criteria . The IAAF first published a world records list in 1914 , initially fir men  events only . It was 53 recognised records in running , hurdling and relay , and 12 field records . World records in women  events began in 1936 as more events was gradually added to the list , but significant changes was made in the late 1970s . First , alll records in imperial measurements was abandoned in 1976 , with tdasole exceptional being thdaile run due to the prestige and history of the event . The following year ,allll world record in sprint events would only be recognised if fully automatic electronic timing was used ( as opposed to thedaaditional hand @-@ timing stopwatch method ) . In 1981 , electronic timing was made compulsory foalllll world record runs in track and field , wit times being recorded to within one hundredth of a second . 2 additional types of world record was introduced in 1987 : world records fir indoor competitions , and world records fa junior athletes under 20 years old .