The four teams competing in the event were Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. The two-day competition comprised a program of 20 track and field events for both men and women, resulting in a total of 40 events. Each team entered two athletes in each event, except for relays where one team competed, with a maximum of one athlete from each country per event. No athlete was allowed to double in the 3000 m and 5000 m.[2]
