Abstract
The subject of the research is the influence of the athletic program of modern Olympic Games on the development of athletics. It encompasses three periods within modern Olympic Games: evolution of athletic program in the period of I-V, then from VIII-XI and from XIV-XXVII Modern Olympic Games. The aim of the research was to determine the influence that the athletic program has had since the beginning of the first modern Olympic Games till today. In the three observed periods, various factors (innovations in the technique of athletic events, athletic rules, technology of sports training, athletic results etc) influenced differently the enlargement of athletic program i.e. development of athletics at the modern Olympic games.