Women have contested events at the World Athletics Championships since its inauguration in 1983. The top three athletes in each event win gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively. A one-off edition of the championships was also held the same year at the 1980 Summer Olympics to include the IAAF-approved international women's events in 400 metres hurdles and 3000 metres which were not added to the Olympic athletics programme that year due to a dispute with the International Olympic Committee.