The purpose of this study was to investigate the cause of limited participationrnof elite athletes in short distances running at some selected athletic clubs inrnOromia regional state. To achieve the purpose of the study descriptive surveyrndesign was employed. The study area covers four athletics clubs namely,rnBishoftu, Gelan, Sululta and Holeta Athletics Clubs in Oromia Regional Staternwhich were selected from 21 athletics clubs by using the methods of purposivernsampling. From four athletics clubs and Oromia Athletics Federation, 66rnparticipants were selected by using random sampling techniques. The subjectsrnof the study include 6 Oromia athletics officers 8 coaches, 4 clubs managersrnand 24 male athletes and 24 female athletes. To collect relevant datarnquestioners and interview were used. The data collected through questionersrnwere analyzed quantitative and qualitative methods.rnThe result of the study indicated that the clubs use more of the traditional andrnnon-scientific method of training in addition to lack of proper facilities andrnequipment, shortage of standardized training area and convenient runningrntrack, absence of continuous use training inputs, inadequate knowledge andrnskill of trainers, low level of attention and support and poor/inadequaternnutritional feeding system that resulted in limited participation andrnperformance of athletes in short distance running.rnHowever, the interest of athletes in short distance was found to be rated veryrnhigh. To increase the participation and performance of the athletes in shortrndistance running, the researcher recommends that Oromia Athletics Federationrnworks more to improve the training methods, access to proper facilities andrnequipment and proper nutrition with more support and attention to the clubsrnin the region