History of the lAF

In 1983, the lnternational Aerobic Federation(lAF) was established in the United States, originally started under the name of Fitaerobics lnternational Association (FlA). There were two headquarters at the time, one in the U.S.A., (FlA/USA) which managed North America, South America, and Western Europe; the other in Japan (FlA/JAPAN), which managed Asia, Oceania, and Eastern Europe.
The FlA/USA held its first aerobic championship in MountainView, California, USA.

In 1984, the FlA/USA held the first USA national aerobic championship in Palo Alto, California. In June, the FlA/USA held the world's first international aerobic championship in San Francisco, Califormia with athletes representing Canada, the United States, and Japan. FlA/JAPAN held the first All Japan National Aerobic Championship (Dole Cup) in Tokyo, Japan.

In 1987, The FlA/JAPAN helped to develop and manage national championships throughout Asia including events in Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore. In conjunction with Singapore's national championship, the FlA/JAPAN held the world's first regional championship called ASlA CUP.

In 1989, the name FIA was changed to the lnternational Aerobic Federation, (IAF) and the USA headquarters' functions were taken over by the lAF Headquarters in Japan.

In March of 1990, The lAF organized its first world aerobic championship called the SUZUKl WORLD CUP in Tokyo, Japan. Since then, the lAF has continuously held the SUZUKl WORLD CUP, a prestigious world event that welcomes athletes from over 20 countries each year.

In 1994, The lAF organized three continental championships in the world, Asia-Oceania, Pan-American, and the European championships.

1998 The 10th Anniversary SUZUKl WORLD CUP was held in Tokyo, Japan.

2003 The l4th annual SUZUKl WORLD CUP was held in Tokyo, Japan on April 20, 2003.

2. Organization

The lAF is currently comprised of up to 25-affiliated member countries and is to promote "sportaerobics" on a worldwide basis.

3. Administration

The lAF is an international organization. Its purpose includes establishing IAF policies, organizing international and world-class events, establishing championships rules and regulations, and promote the development and awareness of the sport on national and international levels. These policies, rules, and objectives are proposed and submitted by executive board members and members of the lAF Headquarters. These issues are discussed annually at the IAF World Congress, which is held each year immediately following the World Cup.

4. Recent status

In 1995, the IAF signed the Agreement of Cooperation with the Internationale Federation de Gymnastics (FlG) in order to further promote both the sport and the efforts that may establish sportaerobics as an official sport of the Olympic games.

Sportaerobics was officially adopted as a sport in the 1997 World Games in Lahti, Finland and was recently included in the 2001World Games held in Akita, Japan .