Minutes 2012 USA Track & Field Annual Meeting Daytona Beach, Florida

Transcription

1 Minutes 2012 USA Track & Field Annual Meeting Daytona Beach, Florida Men s Long Distance Running General Sessions November 30, 2012 Attendees: The following individuals attended one or more of the sessions: Glenn Latimer (Chair), Philip Greenwald (Treasurer), Tomy Sitton (Acting Secretary), Andrew Allden, Richard Anderson, Archie Ard, George Banker, Robert Beale, Tom Bernhard, Andy Carr, Tom Chorney, Lyle Claussen, Alex Cuozzo, Jim Gerweck, Edwin Hampton, Thom Hunt, Brian Jones, Bob Latham, Bob Larson, James Li, Jonathan Marcus, Teddy Mitchell, Larry Menendez, Matt Merrill, Gene Newman, Jim Nichols, Johann Odermatt, David O Conner, Tania Pacev, Ron Pate, Jim Peterson, Matt Pohren, Bill Roe, Rick Rothman, Joe Sarver, Scott Slade, Larry Smithee, Allan Steinfeld, Phil Stewart, Skip Stolley, Edwardo Torres, Ben Teixeira, Bruce Vandewater, Ed Whetham Guests: Virginia Achman, Bob Baumel, Brandon Bethke, Paige Biglin, Michael Courtney, Kelly Crawford, Jeff Darman, Wayne Davis, John Elliott, John Erickson, Paul Greer, Patricia Goodwin, Camille Herron, David Katz, Kim Keenan Kirkpatrick, Justin Kuo, William Leer, Ed Maher, Elizabeth Maus, LeeAnn Meyer, Kathy Nary, Ed Neighbour, Elizabeth Phillips, Michelle Piscitelli, Billy Poole-Harris, Patrick Rizzo, Sonja Robinson, Tracey Russell, Mike Sayenko, James Strang, Susan Weeks, Jack Wickens SESSION 1 NOVEMBER 30, 10:00 a.m. Note: The order of items in the agenda was adjusted to accommodate reports from Men s LDR (MLDR) representatives on other committees when these representatives were present in the MLDR meetings. These minutes present agenda items in the order that they were discussed. The meeting was called to order by Chair Glenn Latimer. The Chair introduced the MLDR Executive Committee and Sub-Committee members in attendance. He also acknowledged the work of MLDR Secretary Mark Winitz who was unable to attend the Annual Meeting. Minutes from 2011: A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of the MLDR Committee from the 2011 USATF Annual Meeting. There was no discussion. The motion passed. MLDR Primary Mission and Progress: The Chair briefly gave examples of continuing progress on the mission to raise the standards of U.S. men s long distance running at the international level. He included a discussion about the recent successes of U.S. male distance 1

2 runners at the London Olympic Games. The Chair s full report summarizing U.S. men s long distance running in 2012 is available online on page 104 of the 2012 Annual Meeting Reports at: Men s LDR Committee Chair ( Olympiad): The Chair discussed the MLDR Executive Committees conference call conducted on November 15, Then he summarized the format for electing a new MLDR Chair for the Olympiad and explained the MLDR Executive Committee s unanimous support for Edwardo Torres for this position. Edwardo was then given an opportunity to discuss his potential nomination. Call for nominations. Edwardo Torres was nominated and the nomination was seconded. There were no other nominees. By unanimous consent, Edwardo Torres was elected as the new Men s LDR Chair U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (Men) Update and Standards: The Chair described how raising the bar (qualifying standards) for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (to a sub-2:19:00 A standard) paid dividends for U.S. men s long distance running as competitors responded by competing at a higher level. He then described a proposal, agreed upon by the MLDR Executive Committee, to set the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials standards for men using the IAAF s Olympic standards: A standard: 2:15:00 / B standards: 2:18:00 (and 1:05:00 half marathon) The Chair mentioned that discussion had ensued with the USATF Women s LDR Committee to also adopt the IAAF standards for women s Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying, and that they were in agreement. No motion to accept these standards was entertained at this time (agenda item continued during MLDR Committee Session 2). USA International Teams 2012 Review: 2012 Olympic Games: Bob Larsen spoke about Meb Keflezighi s 4th-place marathon performance at the 2012 Olympic Games. He described Meb s training for the Games and how it was geared to acclimate him for the race conditions. Bob mentioned Meb had an injury a month prior to the Olympics. Jack Hazen distributed a handout summarizing the superb performances of the USA men s distance runners at the Games, and shared the following highlights with the Committee: 19 athletes; 10 top-10 finishes 17 of 20 athletes ran in the final of their event Two medals Four 4th place finishes The Chair mentioned that two of Team USA s premier male distance runners had to drop out of the 2012 Olympic marathon due to injuries. 2

3 2012 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships (Bulgaria): Tomy Sitton (men s Team Leader for this trip) described the U.S. men s fourth place team finish and U.S. women s fifth place finish. Some meeting attendees commented on the challenges of athletes who arrived in Bulgaria only a day or two prior to the competition Chiba International Ekiden (Japan): (relay team comprised of 3 men and 3 women) Bronze medal earned by Team USA. Team USA Opportunities in 2013: The Chair described the following Team USA opportunities/major competitions in 2013: 2013 Bupa Great Edinburgh International Cross Country - January 15 in Scotland 2013 IAAF World Cross Country Championships - March 24 in Poland 2013 IAAF World Championships in Athletics (Men s Marathon event) - August 17 in Moscow, Russia Committee Reports: Road Running Technical Council (RRTC): Gene Newman (RRTC Chair) reiterated that certifying race courses, and making sure these courses are accurate, continue to be the main goals of the RRTC. He mentioned that the RRTC s pages on the USATF website had been recently updated and are very user friendly. See: Council.aspx Mr. Newman mentioned the RRTC meeting on Saturday, December 1 at the Annual Meeting for those interested in attending. David Katz (IAAF Technical Committee member) mentioned the difficulty of the Olympic marathon course in London. Team USA Distance Project: Jack Wickens (USATF Foundation board member) described why it is necessary to continue to find avenues for funding existing and new Team USA distance training centers, and the successes that the USATF Foundation has forged in this respect. Miscellaneous Item: The starting age for the open division in marathon races was discussed. The Men s LDR Committee supports a starting age of 16 years old. USATF Rules Amendments Proposals: Phil Greenwald (MLDR representative on the Rules Committee) presented the 2012 proposed rules amendments that are pertinent to LDR, along with the MLDR Executive Committee s recommendations. (See the MLDR Executive Committee session minutes of November 29, 2012 for details regarding the proposed rules amendments that were discussed there.) The following rules items/proposed amendments were discussed: (a) Item 20: Would amend Rule to require bib numbers to be worn on the front and back of competitors in long distance running races. 3

4 The MLDR Committee concurred with the MLDR Executive Committee s recommendation not to require all road races to have bib numbers on the front and back. The consensus was to allow race organizers/officials of any particular race to determine if bibs on the back are necessary. (b) Item 39: Would amend Rule 6 to require selection events to have a method of breaking ties for the last qualifying place and publish it in the entry material. The consensus of those in attendance was that the race officials at the finish line would determine the tie breaker. (c) Mr. Greenwald asked for direction from the Men s LDR Committee regarding drug testing for athletes that set American Junior records. The recommendation of those in attendance was that drug testing should not be required for athletes who break American Junior records. (d) Item 18: Would amend Rule restricting the size and number of logos on athletes attire only when required by the IAAF or USOC. The Men s LDR Committee urged no action on limiting logos except in limited competitions such as the U.S. Olympic Trials and other major competitions that are subject to IAAF and/or USOC scrutiny. Motion to recess. Committee recessed until 3:00 p.m. SESSION 2 NOVEMBER 30, 3:00 p.m. The MLDR Committee reconvened at 3:00 p.m U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (Men) Update and Standards (continued from MLDR Session 1): The Chair made a motion to accept the following men s qualifying standards for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials: A standard: 2:15:00 / B standards: 2:18:00 (and 1:05:00 half marathon) The motion was seconded and a subsequent vote by committee members approved these standards. Records Committee: Andy Carr (USATF LDR Road Records Keeper) made the following recommendations regarding pending LDR records to the committee: Approve 24 Hour (road) - Mike Morton, m ( 12 IAU 24 Hour) Approve Marathon (All-Comers) - Tsegaye Kebede (ETH), 2:04:38 ( 12 Chicago Marathon) 4

5 A motion was made to approve these records. Motion passed. Championships: Bob Latham (Championships Subcommittee Chair) provided a summary of the 2012 MLDR road championships and then presented the proposed 2013 MLDR championship schedule. (See the MLDR Executive Committee session minutes of November 29, 2012 for details regarding the 2013 schedule.) The MLDR Committee did not vote on the proposed schedule at this time, pending administrative details and schedule finalization. LDR Athlete Development Program (ADP): Brian Jones reported on the ADP and the USATF Men s LDR Championships that provided ADP support for athletes in Substance Abuse Education: Jim Peterson provided a brief oral and extensive written report. He reported on sanctions imposed on athletes (none from the U.S.) for use of a prohibited substance or method on the basis of an abnormal Athlete Biological Profile. He detailed the extensive drug testing at the Olympics Games in London, reported the outcomes of other drug testing matters, and, in general, detailed the risks of performance-enhancing drugs. Jim s bottom line: Even with the best efforts of USADA/WADA/Law Enforcement, the best defense against illegal PEDs remains us (athletes, coaches, etc.)! IAAF Report: Bob Hersh (Senior Vice President, IAAF) reported on the 2012 IAAF World Half Marathon Championship in Bulgaria. He discussed the fact that the IAAF would like to move future events to bigger, well-known cities to encourage stronger spectator presence and support. Mr. Hirsh said that he IAAF would like to move the World Half Marathon Championships to the Spring because the Fall is crowded with various races. He supports this direction. Organizational Services: Bill Roe reported that on-line sanctioning of events will become easier as USATF moves to an electronic, online process. He also reported that new accreditation standards for USATF Associations will be forwarded in the near future to the USATF Board of Directors. Motion to adjourn. Adjourned. Note: The MLDR third General Session (scheduled for Saturday, December 1) was cancelled because all business was completed during the previous two General Sessions. Respectfully submitted by: Tomy Sitton (Acting Secretary) Edited by: Mark Winitz, Secretary 5