USATF CORRUPT, ignored recommendation for 2024 Trials location.

Didn't some of the USATF staff intern at FIFA ??

I have it on good authority that the selection committee was bribed with $60 Darden Restaurants, Inc., gift cards. (They are valid at Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, Yard House and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen.) Just a disgusting example of Orlando-style corruption.

In unrelated news, Disney sent by-one-get-one-free coupons, good for entry to Epcot, to the national office a few weeks prior to this decision.

Unrelated to the decision though.

They should run it on the polo fields in San Francisco.

The article is now up in the #1 spot on the homepage. The OP's intitial title also was asking why it wasn't on the homepage. That was an oversight and has een corrected.

The idea that they won't give us an explanation is far from a shocker but infuriating.

I am just surprised that it didn't go to Eugene but if in doubt it was the good old bribery. Money is always the major factor in any decision making.

There may be legitimate concerns here at the same time it appears that the final decision lies with the USATF office. Just because they choose to go a different path than the recommendation is not evidence in and of itself of corruption.

I think transparency on why would be valuable.

Honest question: Why bribe someone for the trials? Outside of USATF who actually benefits from hosting the trials?

Host city. People come there to compete, watch, and plenty of free advertising of how great their city is. They bring in revenue from hotels, travel expenses, etc.

The USOC really needs to step in here. Usatf regularly not abiding by its own bylaws. At this point, the FBI might want to start looking into the back door deals being made.

The fact that they couldn't make up a phony excuse and still haven't responded all this time speaks volumes.

Wait a minute, the USATF is corrupt? That was sarcasm.

Eventually everything will be uncovered like FIFA or whatever. It will just take many years and someone from the inside willing to step up.

It seems like most organizations that have recently hosted the event have lost considerable money (Houston, NYRR, Atlanta). I get that there may be other reasons to host the trials, but is it really enough to start bribing people?

letsrun.com

Are the US Olympic Marathon Trials Broken? Examining the Business Model of America's Greatest Marathon

Jonathan Gault

As USATF searches for a bidder for the 2024 Trials, those in charge of recent Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston and Atlanta believe the Trials' financial model is unsustainable. Will anything change?

Open link

Shocking. The system is broken.

Old news. This info was posted three days ago.

Until USATF chimes in here, the story still needs to be fleshed out. But I am in no way giving Max the benefit of the doubt here.

As someone who has lived in both Orlando & Chattanooga, Orlando makes the most sense here. While Chattanooga's weather might have a slight edge (40s vs 60s in Orlando), they don't have the same infrastructure when it comes to the airport/hotels. Orlando's course will be lightning fast while Chattanooga has steep hills all around town. Orlando will be able to attract more spectators given the time of year/other things to do in town before or after the race. Jon & Betsy Hughes at Track Shack are the finest people you will ever meet & having run in many of the races they put on I can assure you the experience will be first class.

Welp, I hope we haven't been reduced to a Mom and Pop being the deciding factor.

The reason: money