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Lead Stories: Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Dysfunction Run Amuck
Part III: USOC Mandates and
A Question of Authority

Posted November 25th, 2008 at 4:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

This is the third article in a seven-part series titled “Dysfunction Run Amuck: USA Track & Field and the Need for Change”.
In case you missed them, make sure to go back and read part one & part two, as well. To view a publication timeline for the entire series, please scroll to the bottom of this article.

From 2003 to 2005, under pressure from the U.S. Congress to clean up its act, the scandal-ridden United States Olympic Committee (USOC) took a number of drastic steps to address its own dysfunction. Among other measures, USOC reduced its board of directors from 123 members to 11.

USA Track & Field CEO Doug Logan told Track & Field News (November, 2008), “the USOC itself went through a very uncomfortable internal restructuring process.” He added, “The Congress required USOC to modify the way they did things, and to restructure [itself] and to modernize into a body that can do the business of sports in the 21st century. They went through huge changes on the governance and management sides, and they have required other governing bodies to follow suit.”

Former USOC General Counsel and sports law expert Mark Muedeking contends that the USOC, “recognized that there needed to be reform and that USOC needed to lead the way … to franchise that reform to the national governing bodies that they regulated.”

But why was reform necessary?

Muedeking, now a partner at the global law firm DLA Piper, added that if money is being wasted, if there are ethics issues, or if there is mismanagement or dysfunction at the national governing body (NGB) for a particular sport, “Then it gives everyone in the Olympic movement a black eye.”
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Dysfunction Run Amuck
Part I: USA Track & Field and the Need for Change

Posted November 20th, 2008 at 2:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

The upcoming presidential election for the sport’s national governing body, U.S.A. Track & Field (USATF), comes at a critical juncture in the history of the organization. Recently appointed CEO Doug Logan has shown both a strong commitment to continue reforming the anti-doping measures that were begun by his predecessor Craig Masback as well as a passion for challenging the status quo. His success in tackling these issues as well as the tough marketing challenges that lie ahead will need to be complimented by a streamlined board of directors in order to ensure the future of the American track federation.

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has levied demands for change at USATF, including serious threats of reduced funding or even de-certification if they fail to comply. Although the restructuring process has already begun for USATF, the process itself faces some tough challenges of its own. USATF national secretary Lynn Cannon has leveled some strong accusations of financial mismanagement that have already reverberated throughout the United States track & field and running community. They have resulted in denials and/or finger pointing from within the board.

TheFinalSprint.com’s investigation into this matter uncovered disturbing accusations and issues of dysfunction, including infighting, power struggles, racial tension, lack of oversight, and conflicts of interest within the board of directors. While the allegations may not rise to the level of criminality, they do threaten to undermine the organization at a time that it desperately needs cohesiveness and efficiency.

With the belief that sunlight is the best disinfectant, TheFinalSprint.com will provide an inside look at USATF and its current situation over the next six installments to be published between now and USATF’s annual meeting in Reno, NV. The topics to be covered in each segment and the date that it will be available can be found below:

11/20 - Introduction

11/21 - How Did We Get Here?

11/25 - USOC Mandates / A Question of Authority

11/28 - Cannon’s Allegations / Financial Mismanagement

11/29 - ‘Jets vs. Sharks’ Dynamic / Racial Tensions

12/02 - Overstepping / Conflicts of Interest

12/03 - Pres. Election / Logan / Restructuring

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TFS News Briefs: 2/08/08

Posted February 8th, 2008 at 4:56 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, Drugs In Sports, TFS News Briefs

TFS News Briefs
Eugene Businesses Give Back to Track & Field
Local Eugene, OR Businesses are donating to 100 Meter Club and partnering with Eugene ‘08 in order to “ensure that the hundreds of volunteers and the local organizing committee are able to do what needs to be done to prepare for the Olympic Trials.”
Read more at: [Register Guard]

Interview With Olympic sprint coach Brooks Johnson
Legendary Olympic sprint coach Brooks Johnson, in an interview by the St. Petersburg Times, said that Marion Jones’ tragedy was “unnecessary.” He also said that “at some point even a dirty world record will be exceeded by somebody who’s clean.”
Read more at: [SP Times]

Frank Shorter To Guest-Speak in NC
Running icon Frank Shorter will be the guest speaker at the Twin City Track Club in Winston-Salem, NC on March 1st to help the running club celebrate their 30th anniversary.
Read more at: [Winston-Salem Journal]
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