USATF Pulls Out Of This Summer's World Youth Because Of Terrorism Fears
USATF Pulls Out Of This Summer's World Youth Because Of Terrorism Fears
USATF announced that Team USA will not send a delegation to the IAAF World Youth Championships in Nairobi, Kenya this summer.
USATF has announced that Team USA will not send a delegation of athletes to the IAAF World Youth Championships, also known as the IAAF World U18 Championships, this summer in Nairobi, Kenya.
A letter sent from USATF to youth coaches around the country states that the decision stems from Kenya's designation as a critical threat by the U.S. Department of State. "Critical" is the highest crime and terrorism rating possible. Due to increased security costs and the fact that all athletes would be aged 18 and younger, USATF has decided not to hold a selection event nor to travel to the championship.
Last summer, IAAF President Sebastian Coe announced that the IAAF World Youth Championships would be discontinued after 2017. In the future, the IAAF will host regional events instead of a world championship for youth and junior athletes.
The United Kin announced it would not participate at the Nairobi event this past December.
*Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that the letter was a press release.
A letter sent from USATF to youth coaches around the country states that the decision stems from Kenya's designation as a critical threat by the U.S. Department of State. "Critical" is the highest crime and terrorism rating possible. Due to increased security costs and the fact that all athletes would be aged 18 and younger, USATF has decided not to hold a selection event nor to travel to the championship.
Last summer, IAAF President Sebastian Coe announced that the IAAF World Youth Championships would be discontinued after 2017. In the future, the IAAF will host regional events instead of a world championship for youth and junior athletes.
The United Kin announced it would not participate at the Nairobi event this past December.
The 2015 edition of the event in Cali, Colombia saw Team USA take home a record haul of 19 medals, including gold medals earned by the likes of Sydney McLaughlin and Candace Hill.
The full USATF letter is below.*Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that the letter was a press release.