Primary school pupils celebrate World Athletics Day at Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday. Pictured (from left) are Charlotte Hayed (9), of St Bernadette's, throwing the modified javelin; Riley Dasler (10), of Carisbrook School, on the jumps; and Zoe O'Farrell (10), of St Bernadette's, on the hurdles. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.

It was a historic day when athletics was contested at Forsyth Barr Stadium for the first time yesterday.

Ninety children from three Dunedin primary schools celebrated World Athletics Day in warm and dry conditions.

''The outside grounds are so wet and the day would have been cancelled if we did not have the indoor stadium,'' Sport Otago's Annelies Inghelbrecht said.

''It was good to see the kids having fun and enjoying being in the stadium.''

Sport Otago worked with the Caversham Harrier and Athletics Club to promote World Athletics Day in Otago.

Three primary schools - St Bernadette's, St Clair and Carisbrook - in the vicinity of the Caversham club participated in the event.

''It was an ideal opportunity for primary schools in the South Dunedin cluster to get to know their local athletics club,'' Inghelbrecht said.

Athletics Otago is using a pilot scheme that is being used by the International Association of Athletics Federations to promote the sport for children between the ages of 7 and 9 at weekly children's meetings in the summer months.

''It uses colourful, soft equipment that will not hurt the children,'' Inghelbrecht said.

''The games' focus is on running, jumping and throwing skills and a fun team challenge,'' It was the first time most of the children had competed in competitive sport at the stadium.

Tiale Beale (9), of Carisbrook School, enjoyed the experience of running over the soft hurdles.

''It was really cool,'' she said.

Joel Bolton, of St Bernadette's, was having fun with the 1kg boulder ball that is designed to help children prepare for the hammer throw.

Madison Wills (9), of St Clair, was having a ball bouncing up and down in a relay that is designed to develop teamwork.

The IAAF is celebrating the 18th year of World Athletics Day in May to promote youth athletics through schools and clubs.

Secondary schools celebrated the day at the Caversham road relays, at King's High School, last week.