Five indoor world records in men's and women's events were marked in the 2nd World Indoor Championships. The climax was the second day, when four records were set. In the women's 3000m walk, Kerry Saxby of Australia overwhelmed others with the record of 12:01.65. Later, Paul Ereng of Kenya, the Seoul Olympics gold medallist in 800m, entered on short notice, interrupting studies in the US. Trailing at fifth place for most of the race, he rushed in the final lap, overtaking three at a corner and passing former champion Jose Luiz Barbosa of Brazil in the last 80 m to set the world record of 1:44.84.

This was followed by Elly van Hulst of the Netherlands, who won the women's 3000m with the world record of 8:33.82, beating Liz McColgan of the UK. In high jump, three-time participant Javier Sotomayor of Cuba leaped the world record height of 2.43 metres in the first try, ending the heated 6-hour battle.

The other world record was set by Mikhail Shchennikov of USSR in 5000m walk on the last day of the Championships with 18:27.10, breaking his own world record marked in Indianapolis.

Japanese athletes have been participating in the Championships in sprint and jumping events since Paris in 1985, and a Japanese high school student, Takahiro Watanabe of Niihama-Higashi High School was the first Japanese athlete to enter 400m.