The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) was established in 1946 to govern and promote athletics in India.

Norman Pritchard was the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic medal in athletics. He won two silver medals in the 200 meters and 200-meter hurdles at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Milkha Singh is known as the 'Flying Sikh' in Indian athletics. He was a sprinter who won gold medals in the 400 meters at the 1958 Asian Games and the 1962 Commonwealth Games.

Milkha Singh was the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the Asian Games in athletics. He won the gold medal in the 400 meters at the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo.

Norman Pritchard is the only Indian athlete to win a medal in athletics at the Summer Olympics. He won two silver medals in the 200 meters and 200-meter hurdles at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Milkha Singh was the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in athletics. He won the gold medal in the 400 meters at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia.

Anju Bobby George is the only Indian athlete to win a medal in athletics at the World Championships. She won the bronze medal in the long jump at the 2003 World Championships in Paris.

Gurbachan Singh Randhawa was the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championships. He won the gold medal in the discus throw at the 1973 Asian Athletics Championships in Manila, Philippines.

P. T. Usha is the only Indian athlete to win a gold medal in athletics at the South Asian Games. She won the gold medal in the 400 meters at the 1985 South Asian Games in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Milkha Singh was the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the National Games in athletics. He won the gold medal in the 400 meters at the 1958 National Games in Cuttack, Odisha.

P. T. Usha is the only Indian athlete to win a gold medal in athletics at the World University Games. She won the gold medal in the 400 meters at the 1985 World University Games in Kobe, Japan.

P. T. Usha is the only Indian athlete to win a gold medal in athletics at the Asian Junior Athletics Championships. She won the gold medal in the 400 meters at the 1981 Asian Junior Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

Anju Bobby George is the only Indian athlete to win a gold medal in athletics at the Commonwealth Youth Games. She won the gold medal in the long jump at the 2000 Commonwealth Youth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Milkha Singh was the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the National School Games in athletics. He won the gold medal in the 400 meters at the 1954 National School Games in Delhi.

P. T. Usha is the only Indian athlete to win a gold medal in athletics at the All India Inter-University Athletics Championships. She won the gold medal in the 400 meters at the 1982 All India Inter-University Athletics Championships in Patiala, Punjab.