I imagine World Athletics did not want an under 20 World Championships without the presence of the US team, so they worked with USATF and the organizers to find a solution.
I imagine World Athletics did not want an under 20 World Championships without the presence of the US team, so they worked with USATF and the organizers to find a solution.
Good news, but poor timing. Now families will be scrambling to make travel plans to the U20 meet when they should have had months to prepare. Typical USATF.
Your post is a perfect example of how you can never please anyone.
Here's a reality check for everyone. Watch how many qualify and don't go for whatever reason.
I've had hs athletes qualify and their new college coach said "Nope" you are coming here and getting ready for college life, standards, rigor, training and health reasons. You are not going because you don't need to get sick, behind in preparation for classes etc...
That's true in the case of of some high school seniors whose new college coaches don't want them to go to South America in late August.
But high school juniors and younger are fine. And college freshman would have already gotten the approval of their coaches.
One high school senior who is an exception is Ellie Shea. It appears that she might not be running in college, and she really likes to make international teams.
In any case, whichever athletes end up going, I'm happy that we have a team going now.
I imagine World Athletics did not want an under 20 World Championships without the presence of the US team, so they worked with USATF and the organizers to find a solution.
Probably had to spot Mr. "$3.8 Million Salary" Siegel some cash to make ends meet
USATF announced today that it WILL send a team to the 2024 World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru.
Last month, USATF had said it would not field a team for the meet due to safety concerns, the date of the event, (August 26-31), and competitive readiness concerns.
USATF said on Monday that after "careful assessment and consultations" with World Athletics and the local organizing committee, it "received reassurance of sufficient safety measures that will be in place at the event" and will send a team.
I have to wonder why that "careful assessment and consultations" did not take place BEFORE they decided not to send a team. But it's good for the sport and good for American athletes that USATF has reversed course here. Kudos to USATF for making the right decision here, even if they took a detour along the way.
The only runners that will miss out are those who are competing in Brooks PR which is the same day as day 1 of U20.
Hmm, but those are a lot of the best high school runners...
Nearly all the top runners in 800m, mile, 2 mile are entered in Brooks PR and it's probably their favorite meet of the year. Brooks PR, NON/U20, separate NON championship division, New Balance Nationals all held between June 12th and 16th.