USA Track & Field – News & Notes – Working group formed – Olympic legends embark on sport diplomacy missions

The working group designated by USATF to examine field-of-play decisions at the 2014 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Albuquerque and the USAF governance, rules and processes that surround them has been constituted and begun its work.

Led by IAAF senior vice president and USATF board member Bob Hersh, an expert on domestic and international rules and governance, the group also includes USATF Rules Committee chair John Blackburn, Athletes Advisory Committee chair Jon Drummond, athlete board representative Darvis Patton and Women’s Development chair Rose Monday.

The group will speak to athletes, coaches, officials, agents and others. Their work will continue through the spring.

Olympic legends embark on sport diplomacy missions

INDIANAPOLIS — Four-time Olympian and three-time Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee travels April 12-18 to Jerusalem and the West Bank on the U.S. Department of State’s inaugural Track & Field Sports Envoy program through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, USA Track & Field announced today.

The efforts are part of the U.S. government initiatives to assist in creating a future of sustained peace and opportunities in the region. In the West Bank, Joyner-Kersee will encourage the advancement of sports initiatives for Palestinian women and girls, and she will highlight the benefits of sports in promoting health and well-being, positive life skills, and in creating opportunity. The week-long schedule will connect Americans with Palestinians through clinics, team-building activities, and a track & field day as part of the Empowering Women and Girls through Sports Initiative.

Participating on a separate sports envoy program are Olympic track & field legends Hazel Clark and Dwight Phillips, who travel together April 17-25 to Fiji on a similar mission. Clark, a three-time Olympian in the 800m, and Phillips, Beijing 2004 Olympic long jump champion, will will work with a group of deaf athletes and young track runners/throwers leading up to the Coca Cola games, held in Fiji held on April 24-25.  

The U.S. Embassy in Fiji  will be partnering with the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, Fiji Paralympic Committee, Gospel School of the Deaf and Athletics Fiji in implementing the program.

USATF.org and USATF.tv will document both Joyner-Kersee’s journey in Jersusalem, as well as the Fiji envoy featuring Clark and Philips.