The Cayman Islands Athletic Association was founded in 1978 by Ms. Lucille Seymour, Messrs. Winston Skinner, Lennie Hew and Kenneth Ebanks AND was originally known as the Cayman Islands Amateur Athletic Association (CIAAA).

 In 1981 we gained affiliation with the International Association of Amateur Athletics Federation  (IAAAF). In 2021 we changed our name to the Cayman  Islands Athletic Association (CIAA) in keeping with the name change of the IAAAF, to the International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF) which was done in recognition of the growth and the inclusion of professional athletes in the sport of Track and Field.  

 The CIAA is affiliated not only with World Athletics (formerly IAAF) but also the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Associations (NACAC), the Central American and Caribbean Athletic Confederation (CACAC) and is a member of the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee (CIOC).

 Internationally the Association has competed at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, PanAm Games, Islands Games, Carifta Games, the Caribbean Union of Teachers Track & Field Championships, NACAC Under 23 Championship, World Under 20 Championships, Pan Am Jr. Games, CAC Championships, CAC Jr. Championships, World Junior Championships, Commonwealth Junior Championships and World Athletics Final.