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Lead Stories: Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Running USA Taps Susan Weeks as New CEO

Posted March 11th, 2008 at 3:15 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results

Going outside the running industry for their new chief executive officer, Running USA has hired Susan Weeks, a former assistant executive director of USA Field Hockey. Weeks, 57, lives in Colorado Springs.

Running USA, the trade association which represents the broad scope of businesses which make up the U.S. running industry, began looking for a new executive director last December after previous boss Basil Honikman had announced his retirement. Weeks will be only the second executive director in the organization’s eight-year history.
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IOC, IAAF move forward on Marion Jones doping case

Posted November 6th, 2007 at 2:19 PM by Martha Jones

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, Drugs In Sports

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge has confirmed that former Olympic champion, famous sprinter Marion Jones, would face further action by the IOC after IAAF’s treatment upon her.

After years of denying she had ever used performance-enhancing drugs, Jones admitted in court that she’d taken the designer steroid known as “the clear” from September 2000 to July 2001.

After her confession, the U.S. Olympic Committee stripped her of the five medals she earned at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

President Rogge said these medals were delivered to the IOC on Tuesday and that the IOC would move on further measures based on the IAAF decision. Read the rest of this entry »

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Podcast 102: Post-Olympic Marathon Trials Interview with RYAN HALL

Posted November 4th, 2007 at 1:08 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode 102 of The Final Sprint Podcast features a teleconference interview with RYAN HALL after his sensational victory and record-setting performance at today’s U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials in New York.

The teleconference was hosted by USA Track and Field (USATF)and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

In the teleconference, Hall responds to questions from TheFinalSprint.com’s Jimmie Markham and other members of the media regarding his celebration in the last miles of the race, training with the Mammoth Lakes group, the tragic death of Ryan Shay, his racing schedule leading up to the Beijing Olympics, the time Hall expects to be able to run in the marathon, his dream of making the Olympic team, the importance of a fast time vs. a gold medal and what he learned from the Olympic Trials race.

Download the podcast to hear Hall discuss these topics, as well as, a comparison of how he felt after London vs. the Olympic Trials race, what he thought of a criterion-style course, whether or not he will watch the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, Hall’s wife Sara’s role in his success and speculation on two Halls going to Beijing.

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Host: USOC, USATF, NYRR | Guest: Ryan Hall
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 13.6 MB | Length: 19:50 MIN

Episode sponsored by:
Camelbak - the originator and leader in hands-free hydration.

To learn more Camelbak Elixir, their effective, easy-to-use and portable electrolyte beverage, as well as Camelbak’s running specific hydration systems, please visit www.camelbak.com.

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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Podcast 101: Pre-Trials Teleconference with Abdi, Hall, and Culpepper

Posted November 1st, 2007 at 7:07 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode 101 of The Final Sprint Podcast features a pre-U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials teleconference interview with Abdi Abdirahman, Ryan Hall and Alan Culpepper.

The teleconference was hosted by USA Track and Field (USATF)and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

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Host: USOC, USATF, NYRR
Guests: Abdi Abdirahman, Ryan Hall, Alan Culpepper
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 15.6 MB | Length: 22:46 MIN

Episode sponsored by:
Camelbak - the originator and leader in hands-free hydration.

To learn more Camelbak Elixir, their effective, easy-to-use and portable electrolyte beverage, as well as Camelbak’s running specific hydration systems, please visit www.camelbak.com.

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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Podcast 100: Pre-Trials Teleconference with Keflezighi and Khannouchi

Posted October 31st, 2007 at 7:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode 100 of The Final Sprint Podcast features a teleconference interview with 2004 Olympic marathon silver medalist Meb Keflezighi and former world and American marathon record holder Khalid Khannouchi.

Both men will compete Saturday in New York’s Central Park for a spot on the 2008 Olympic Team; running in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men’s Marathon.

The teleconference was hosted by USA Track & Field, the U.S. Olympic Committee and New York Road Runners. Click here to read textual excerpts or click below to listen to our audio recording of the full teleconference.

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Host: Adam Jacobs
Guests: Meb Keflezighi, Khalid Khannouchi
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 17.7 MB | Length: 25:48 MIN

Episode sponsored by:
Camelbak - the originator and leader in hands-free hydration.

To learn more Camelbak Elixir, their effective, easy-to-use and portable electrolyte beverage, as well as Camelbak’s running specific hydration systems, please visit www.camelbak.com.

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TFS News Briefs: 10/10/07

Posted October 10th, 2007 at 7:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

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

USOC seeks medals from Jones’ relay-mates
Now that Marion Jones has returned her Olympic medals in the wake of her doping admission, the United States Olympic Committee has also asked Marion Jones’ relay teammates to return their medals and promised a “completely clean” U.S. squad in 2008. The USOC request, Jones’ admission and the IOC’s pending decision on how to redistribute the medals has caused a fury of editorials, objections and controversy.
Here is a sampling of related articles and opinion pieces:
Jones’ relay teammate wants to keep bronze medal — Canadian Press
Time to target coaches, doctors and agents — Guardian (Steve Cram)
Ottey to pick up extra medal — Yahoo! Sports
Jones could’ve broken open sports scam — Seattle Times

Culpepper aims to repeat at U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
Alan Culpepper, a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Team, is looking to replicate his success at the Nov. 3 Trials in NYC. In regards to the new loop-course, Culpepper said, “I was fairly shocked when I saw the course; it (the hilly Central Park course) is going to be hard. I am doing more race-pace effort on hilly terrain this time.”
Read more at: [Daily Camera]
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Vision Care Institute Helping U.S. Olympic Hopefuls

Posted September 19th, 2007 at 6:00 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Olympics

As U.S. Olympic hopefuls prepare to compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, The Vision Care Institute(TM), LLC, a Johnson & Johnson Company, is helping them make sure that two of their most vital body parts are ready for competition — their eyes. The Vision Care Institute, which recently announced the launch of its AchieveVision(TM) Program for Olympic athletes and hopefuls, today announced that it is donating to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) several pieces of vision care equipment to help athletes optimize their vision.
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Bank of America announces support for U.S. Olympic hopefuls to launch 16th year as Team USA Sponsor

Posted August 7th, 2007 at 7:00 AM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results, Olympics

United States Olympic Committee (USOC) sponsor Bank of America today launched its 2008 Olympic Games programming by introducing its roster of 12 U.S. Olympic Team hopefuls. The athletes, who have collectively won eight Olympic medals across a variety of disciplines, will be part of the bank’s year-long U.S. Olympic marketing campaign.

Bank of America also announced its continued support for the Bank of America Hometown Hopefuls(TM) Family Center, a unique hospitality experience, which will act as a home base for friends, families and more than 550 talented U.S. Olympians during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

The multi- level 15,500 square foot facility, located in the western part of the city, will feature many of the comforts of home, including complimentary lunch, dinner, snacks and other refreshments; complimentary tickets to an Olympic event for up to four family members; wide-screen televisions with closed- circuit coverage of Olympic competition; information services; and an Internet lounge for athletes, families and friends who are eager to stay connected with others back home in the United States.
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Podcast 60: Teleconference interview w/ Sanya Richards and Nick Symmonds

Posted June 21st, 2007 at 8:00 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode 60 of The Final Sprint Podcast features a teleconference interview with SANYA RICHARDS and NICK SYMMONDS as a preview to the 2007 AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The teleconference was hosted
by USATF and the USOC.

Sanya Richards is coming off of an incredible 2006, a year where she graduated from the University of Texas, was undefeated in 13 finals in the 400m, won a share of the IAAF Golden League Jackpot, lowered the long-standout American record in the 400m to 48.70 and was named World Athlete of the Year

Nick Symmonds, a seven-time NCAA outdoor champ, was once thought of as an underdog because he competed for D-III Williamette, but has shown everyone that he can compete with the best by finishing second in the 800m at last year’s USA Outdoor Champs and winning the event at this year’s Reebok Indoor Games, USA Indoor Champs, and Prefontaine Classic (where he also set a new meet record).

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Hosts: USOC and USATF
Guest: Sanya Richards & Nick Symmonds
File size: 22.8 MB
Length: 24:58

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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Podcast 58: Teleconference interview with decathlete world-champion BRYAN CLAY

Posted June 18th, 2007 at 3:28 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Podcast 58 of The Final Sprint Podcast features a teleconference interview with world-champion decathlete BRYAN CLAY. The teleconference was hosted by USATF and the USOC.

Clay, the “world’s greatest athlete”, two-time national champion and two-time #1 world-ranked decathlete, will compete this weekend at
the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Indianapolis.

To read textual excerpts of the interview, please click here and/or visit www.usatf.org.

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Hosts: USOC and USATF
Guest: Bryan Clay
File size: 25.9 MB
Length: 29:03

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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