1996 in the sport of athletics

This article contains an overview of the year 1996 in athletics.

World

 * Olympic Games
 * Summer Paralympics
 * World Cross Country Championships
 * World Half Marathon Championships
 * Grand Prix Final
 * World Junior Championships

Regional

 * African Championships
 * CARIFTA Games
 * Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships
 * European Indoor Championships
 * European Cross Country Championships
 * Ibero-American Championships
 * South American Junior Championships
 * South American Youth Championships

Women

 * note that records for the women's 3000 m steeplechase were not officially recognised until 2000