USATF not sending team to 2024 World U20 champs in Peru - Should WA remove Eugene as host of 2026?

What can be done:

1. Contact your senator and representatives in Congress & White House

2. Contact all media but especially ones friendly to track such as John Anderson at espn

3. Have star athletes who took part in World U20's give interviews on the value of the meet in their careers

4. Boycott all USATF purchases

5. Start the decertification process immediately

6. HIgh schools and colleges should refuse to host any events at their facilities

7. Demand there be an alternative international event for these athletes to attend. Could serve as a prep for other nations such as Jamaica, Canada, etc and at least something for US qualified athletes to attend. USATF first conducted such events in years like this where the meet was late summer and had 3-5 nation meets at UCF, Ohio State, etc when we actually were sending a team.

8. Call & email USATF leadership at local and state level and demand the decision be reversed.

9. Organize massive protest outside the Olympic Trials in Eugene

10. Do something, anything to push back. Doing NOTHING is EXACTLY what Max & USATF leadership are counting on.

If they haven't reversed the decision by June, then protest with signage at Nike Outdoor Nationals where the U20 Championships are being held. Lots of eyes on the free livestreams that NON will have on Milesplit or Runnerspace. Keep it respectful (No "FU*K Max!") but make sure it brings attention. "USATF Kills Dreams", "No Future Olympians, Thanks Max", "CEO Bonus >Future Champions", and the like. Get those signs into camera view often.

LRC (Gault/Rojo) - make sure that you ask every U20 winner the same question in the mixed zone, "Did USATF rob you of a chance to represent your country?".

Winners get interviewed live in stadium on the big screen. They should all say something like, "I'm proud to be a US champion but I am sad that Team USA won't be in Lima. That's not right or fair!".

Wait, but we sent an U20 team to Lima for the Pan-American U20 championships in 2019. What changed in the "area" from then to now?

This money saved going straight into Max's pockets. Can you blame him?

WA will never pull the U20 meet from Eugene they can't get people to host these events

A better reason to not send a team is the rampant age cheating by Kenya. The U20 championships are a farce as long as Kenya is allowed to enter 21-25 year olds in that competition. Good on USATF for not participating in a sham competition.

My brother travels to Lima regularly for work. He has been doing this for 10+ years. He has never mentioned any safety issues. And, FWIW, Mica Rivera Wood and her husband Adam Wood just traveled to Peru for her to compete in the T&F championships. She's a U.S. citizen, born in Utah. No complaints from them, either.

USATF should have stuck to the Championship date timing as the main issue (late August) and not safety concerns. It's insulting to the Latin American population.

Yeah this is absolutely wild. The world junior championships is a major freaking meet - in terms of a global competition only the Olympics and WC's beat it in terms of competitiveness. It's hard for me to fathom that a nations national federation would just be like "nah, not going" - I mean what about the US kids that actually want to go and run it? When I was that age it absolutely dominated by athletic ambitions and dreams.

As for what WA should do? I would 100% support them stripping the US of the meet in 2026 and I would be having discussions about what to do on a bigger level as well. There are some nations that WA needs the support of for these meets and the US is clearly one of them. Incredible.

Yeah that will never happen and should not be the emphasis. The USATF needs to feel heat from the media. Get Ato Boldon and others to rant about it on the air. The European broadcast crew like Cram and Hutchings wouldn't hesitate to call it out and question the rationale. The few remaining track and field writers should take it up.

Only when the mainstream media has latched onto the topic will the athletes feel comfortable joining in.

I'm just a fan of the sport and this totally pisses me off. It's hard to believe that athletes, parents, coaches, schools and clubs won't be demanding drastic action against the CEO and the whole organization. Kids' dreams going down the drain. It's disgusting.

In her interview after Arcadia, Sadie Englehart said if she wasn't successful in her attempts to get into and compete at the US Olympic trials that she wanted to compete at the U20's.

Strange that her team would be that out of the loop to be blindsided by this as well.

Out of the loop? It never occurred to you that she was simply referring to the U20 competition going on in Eugene (instead of the Trials around the same time?)

Sorry folks. I am gotten used to a lavish lifestyle and we like to get the priorities right here at the USATF. Not sending some U20 runners to Peru, is a small price to pay.

Maybe they realized it wasn't a good idea?

Peru is listed as a Level 2 country, which puts it at the same level as most of Europe, including the Vatican City. Interestingly, Peru's rating comes from two regions with high crime, both a long way from Lima. The Vatican's rating comes from the risk of terrorism. One could argue that according to the State Department you are at greater risk standing in St. Peter's Square than in Plaza Mayor de Lima.

We're currently trying to figure out how much money USATF will save by not sending the team. We've heard USATF is struggling financially. That's the only thing that makes sense to me.

The other excuses are laughable.

As an aside I checked the British travel advisory for a certain un-named country. This is what it says:

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Do not leave passports in rental cars, especially in the boot. Gangs may target vehicles of those who appear to be tourists. Tourists are rarely involved in violent and gun crime, but take care in unfamiliar areas. Avoid walking through quieter areas alone, especially at night.

Incidents of mass shooting can happen.

Protests are common and can become violent. Follow the instructions of local authorities who may introduce curfews or emergency orders.

{Country} is a very diverse society and attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) people differ hugely across the country. Read our information and advice page for the LGBT+ community before you travel.

welcome to the free market. I guess you like socialism, aka trying to control everyone around you