Optimization in sports may be defined as determining the “best” solution to the issues in every aspect of sports that may include fairness and optimization in competition structure, optimization of athletic performances, prediction of athletic performances, optimal strategies in sports competitions, optimization in sports management and marketing systems, etc. The earliest optimization studies in sports were performed in late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Since then, optimization research in sports has experienced considerable growth. In the last two decades, optimization in sports has attracted attention in science fields especially in computer science, statistics, and operational science. However, the sport optimization publications were widely scattered in different science fields that are not readily accessible. A full synthesis of optimization research in sports is not available. In this study, we reviewed and synthesized the optimization research that relates to sports in which the measurement specialists and sport scientists in AAHPERD could make future contribution. The results of the literature review indicated that researchers in the following fields have conducted most of the optimization studies in sports: mathematics and statistics, operational engineering, bioengineering, economics, business administration and management, and computer science. Optimization research in sports is very difficult to categorize by fields of science (statistics, bioengineering, etc.) due to the variety of the research focuses within each field. This study reviewed and synthesized publications in academic journals and books from 1950s to 2004, with over 100 publications reviewed. Based on the topics and the issues, optimization research in sports can be organized to the following categories: Fairness and optimization in competition structure, optimization of athletic performances, prediction of athletic performances, optimal strategies in sport competitions, optimization in sports management and marketing system. This classification may be more reasonable and easier to understand in terms of the formation of optimization research in sports. Using this classification, we present research development and key issues in each category and discuss the future direction of optimization research in sports. The bibliography of the key research publications related to optimization in sports (1950s – 2004) is provided to the symposium audience upon request. Keyword(s): athletics/sports, measurement/evaluation, research