USATF Foundation presents first two grants

INDIANAPOLIS - The USA Track & Field Foundation has presented the first two grants in its history, the organization announced on Thursday.

A $25,000 grant has been presented to the City Sports youth track and field program at the New Balance Track and Field Center in New York City, and a $10,000 grant was presented to the USATF and American College of Sports Medicine's "Be a Champion" initiative.

Since 2001, the City Sports program has consisted of 24 individual track meets (six per season of the year) to be held at the New Balance Track and Field Center. More than 1,000 boys and girls, ages 6 to 12 years old compete annually in the program, where at each meet every child participates by ages in every event: sprints, hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, indoor javelin, tug of war, 600m run and 800m relay.

A twenty person staff, which includes national prep and collegiate champions, supervise and teach individuals the technical aspects of each discipline. The purpose of the program is to introduce a diverse group of youngsters from throughout New York City to the sport of track and field with the hope of long-term involvement and enjoyment. The $25,000 grant for this program will support the costs of staffing, equipment and maintenance.

With its launch in 2004, the "Be a Champion" program has become a very effective USATF outreach initiative for young people which promotes fitness, fair play/sportsmanship, and the benefits of physical activity, particularly running, walking and other activities. The program also addresses the dangers of drug and supplement use in order to encourage kids to be healthy, active and drug-free in sports and in life. The program has been introduced through community outreach activities in schools and regional youth organizations, and will be executed through clinics for coaches, trainers and healthcare personnel involved with youth sports. USATF will utilize Foundation funds to produce vignettes about "Be A Champion" for its television coverage of USATF's leading events on the Visa Championship Series Tour on ESPN and NBC.

Fueled by a substantial increase in the popularity of and participation in track & field, race walking and road-running, the USA Track & Field Foundation was created in 2002 to financially support USATF programs and athletes. Contributions benefit athletes of all ages, fitness levels, and abilities and will provide regional and national opportunities that otherwise would not be available. Additionally, USATF is committed to being a world leader in the anti-doping movement via its Zero Tolerance plan. Contributions aid in the effort to create a level playing field.

For more information on the New Balance Track & Field Center, New York, visit http://ny.milesplit.us. For more information on the USATF Foundation and the "Be a Champion " initiative, visit www.usatffoundation.org.