© Copyright – 2024 – Athletics Illustrated

United States Track and Field (USATF) had rejected Lima, Peru’s local organizing committee for the 2024 U20 World Athletics Championships. The USATF claimed to be concerned about athlete safety and preparedness. Therefore had pulled out of the championship meet. The backlash within the US was powerful. The USATF has now reversed its decision. Was the move to not send a team the right decision?

Was safety really the concern?

Perhaps it was about the USATF’s own insecurities. In 2021, Indianapolis where the USATF is headquartered, had a murder rate of 27.10 per 100,000 population. It is one of the highest in the US — ironic.

Nelson Mandela said, “Disrespect creates barriers, while respect builds bridges,” during a speech to the United Nations General Assembly. Perhaps Max Seigel, CEO of the USATF has never heard Mandela’s speech.

The USATF set the metaphorical bridge ablaze by rejecting Lima. The USATF rejecting the meet also disrespected its own athletes, parents, stakeholders and the local organizing committee.

Maya Angelou wrote in her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, “Disrespecting others is a reflection of one’s own insecurities and shortcomings.”

The governing body appears to have hidden a thinly veiled attempt to save money by not sending athletes. However, the USATF claims that after “careful assessment and consultations” they are reassured about athlete safety.

Now, the parents of those athletes are left scrambling to organize holidays, and flights. They already have national championships taking place in June. The Lima event takes place August 26-31. The location and date have been known since late 2021 when the city was awarded the meet. At the time, the president of the Peruvian Athletics Federation, Javier Chirinos Hoyos, expressed how this is a big moment for athletics in Peru. “We are very happy and proud to have been chosen for the first time ever, to host the 2024 World U20 Championships,” he said.

“Rest assured that we will organize the best event of this category in history. We have the experience and a great team to give the best in Lima in 2024. Thanks all and we will be waiting with open arms for all of you in Lima.”

The general director of the Local Organising Committee, Luis Condeso Ocampo, added, “We are very happy and grateful to World Athletics for trusting us to host the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2024.

“We assume this designation with great responsibility. And be sure that the Peruvian Athletics Federation, with all the support of the Peruvian Sports Institute, the Municipality of Lima, and all sportspeople in Peru. We will make the World U20 Championships in Lima an unforgettable experience for all participants.”

One wonders how the local organizing committee felt when the biggest team said, “no.” International diplomacy has never been a strong suit of the US.

The USATF claim

From the USATF, “Following careful assessment and consultations with World Athletics and the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships Local Organizing Committee (LOC), USA Track & Field has received reassurance of sufficient safety measures that will be in place at the event and has made the decision to field a team to represent Team USA at the Championships taking place August 26-31, 2024, in Lima, Peru.

The safety and well-being of USATF athletes, coaches, managers, and staff remain our top priority, and we will continue to communicate closely with all relevant stakeholders. USATF is committed to providing our athletes with the highest level of competitive opportunities on their journey to gold. The full team announcement will be made after the USATF Under-20 Championships, which will be held on June 12-13, 2024, in Eugene, OR.”

Meanwhile, a January 2024 US State Department travel advisory for the Bahamas reads: “The majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands. In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the “Over the Hill” area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population. Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence.”   

The USATF (and the rest of the sprint world) sent teams of the best athletes to the 2024 World Athletics Relays in Nassau. The event happened last weekend and featured a two-day championship and Olympic qualification meet that was very successful.

In fairness, not all has been going well in Lima over the past two years. The host was removed and then reinstated in 2023 due to social unrest and natural disasters. But again, ironically, there is social unrest currently happening throughout the US. Support for Palestine has erupted in demonstrations, strong police presence and arrests at colleges across the nation.

The US will host the 2026 World U20 Championships. The meeting will take place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Hopefully, the underprivileged kids of Lima can afford a $500 US hotel room in Eugene.

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