The USA Track & Field Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Operation Hammer Sweep Grants following the completion of the hammer throw competitions at the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships in New York City.

Operation Hammer Sweep awards direct financial support to the top eight American finishers in both the men’s and women’s hammer throw competitions. The grants recognize outstanding performances at the national championships while providing meaningful financial assistance to elite athletes as they continue pursuing success on the international stage.

Created by two-time U.S. Olympian Ken Flax, together with longtime supporters John and Ellen, in partnership with the USA Track & Field Foundation, Operation Hammer Sweep was established to strengthen the United States’ hammer throw program by investing directly in its top athletes. The initiative continues to reward competitive excellence while helping American hammer throwers prepare for future World Championships and Olympic Games.

Women’s Hammer Throw Grant Recipients

Men’s Hammer Throw Grant Recipients

The USA Track & Field Foundation announces a new chapter in its leadership as Tom Jackovic steps down as Chief Executive Officer after 23 years of dedicated service. The Foundation is pleased to welcome Vin Lananna as its new Chief Executive Officer, ushering in a new era focused on expanding opportunities for America’s track and field athletes. 

Since joining the Foundation in 2003, Jackovic played a pivotal role in transforming the organization into one of the sport’s leading philanthropic organizations. Under his leadership, the Foundation expanded its grant programs, strengthened partnerships, increased financial support for athletes, and helped countless members of the track and field community pursue excellence on the track, on the runway, in the ring, and beyond.  After two decades of outstanding leadership, Jackovic notified the Foundation Board of Directors in June of his decision to step down for personal reasons.   

Following a search, the Foundation is pleased to announce Vin Lananna as its next CEO. Lananna brings decades of distinguished leadership and experience to the role. He has built championship collegiate programs at Dartmouth College, Stanford University, the University of Oregon, and the University of Virginia developing generations of elite athletes while elevating each program.   

His leadership extends well beyond the collegiate ranks. Lananna served as Team USA’s head coach for the 2011 World Athletics Championships and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. As an athlete, he competed in cross country and track and field at C.W. Post College from 1971 to 1975 and captained the 1974 team that placed fourth at the NCAA Division II Championships. 

Lananna also served as President of TrackTown USA, where he oversaw the successful organization of several of the sport’s most prestigious events, including the 2014 World Junior Championships, the 2015 USATF OutdoorChampionships, the 2016 World Indoor Championships, and the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. In 2016, he was elected President of USATF and served two terms. Lananna also spearheaded efforts to bring the 2022 World Athletics Outdoor Championships to Eugene.  No stranger to the Foundation, Lananna has served on its Board for over a decade. 

“Vin’s experience makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Foundation into its next chapter. We are confident his passion for athlete development and his deep understanding of our sport will help expand the Foundation’s impact for years to come,” said Bob Greifeld, Chairman of the USATF Foundation Board of Directors. 

Lananna expressed excitement about leading the Foundation. “I am excited to accept a new role in our sport. The Foundation has had a transformative impact on our sport, and I’m honored to work with a distinguished group of generous directors. I’m excited to help our sport in expanding opportunities for athletes, inspiring the next generation and eager to get started.” 

As the USA Track & Field Foundation begins this exciting new chapter, the organization remains steadfast in its mission to support athletes at every stage of their journey and strengthen the future of track and field across the United States. 

The USA Track & Field Foundation thanks Tom Jackovic for his extraordinary 23 years of service and leadership, welcomes Vin Lananna to the organization, and looks forward to the future. 

NEW YORK CITY — The USA Track & Field Foundation is proud to announce a $100,000 commitment through Operation Hammer Sweep to support the top eight finishers in both the men’s and women’s hammer throw competitions at the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships. The championships will be held July 23–26, 2026, at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island in New York City.

The Hammer Sweep Grant awards will provide direct financial assistance to 16 American hammer throwers, the top eight men and top eight women, based on their finishes at the national championships. The initiative is designed to reward competitive excellence, provide meaningful financial assistance to elite athletes and strengthen the United States’ ability to contend for medals on the international stage.

Operation Hammer Sweep was created by two-time U.S. Olympian Ken Flax, together with longtime supporters John and Ellen, in partnership with the USA Track & Field Foundation. The program was established with an ambitious goal: to help American hammer throwers achieve sustained international success and ultimately place three U.S. athletes on the same championship podium.

“This $100,000 commitment reflects our continued belief in America’s hammer throwers,” said Flax. “The United States now has athletes capable of competing with the very best in the world. By providing grant support to the top eight men and women at our national championships, we are supporting not only today’s leaders, but also the athletes working to become our next Olympians, world championship finalists and medalists.”

Since its inception, Operation Hammer Sweep has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct support to American hammer throwers. The program has helped raise the profile of the event while creating additional financial incentives for athletes pursuing success in one of track and field’s most demanding disciplines.

Recent performances have demonstrated the growing strength of American hammer throwers. Operation Hammer Sweep grantee Annette Echikunwoke made history in Paris by becoming the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in the hammer throw, earning silver. On the men’s side, fellow grantee and American record holder Rudy Winkler has established himself among the world’s leading throwers, defeating Olympic and World Champions in international competition.

“These athletes train year-round, often with limited financial support, while representing the United States at the highest level,” Flax said. “Operation Hammer Sweep is about recognizing that commitment and helping create an environment in which American hammer throwers can continue moving toward the podium.”

The 2026 initiative continues Operation Hammer Sweep’s mission of investing directly in athletes and building greater depth throughout the American hammer throw program. Award amounts and payment details will be provided to qualifying athletes following the completion of the men’s and women’s competitions.

PITTSBURGH, PA — Brian Lenihan, a partner at an Am Law 200 law firm with more than 30 years of experience advising private equity and venture capital clients, is joining the USA Track & Field Foundation Board of Directors. Lenihan brings decades of legal and governance leadership, extensive nonprofit board experience, and a lifelong connection to track and field to the USA Track & Foundation.

Lenihan is a partner at Choate, Hall & Stewart, LLP based in Boston, where he advises private equity and venture capital funds and their respective portfolio companies. His practice focuses on a wide range of financing and corporate transactions in the technology sector, including leveraged buyouts, growth equity investments, venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, and cross-border transactions.

Widely recognized as a leading legal practitioner, Lenihan has been honored by Best Lawyers in America for Corporate and Venture Capital Law (2007–2026), Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in private equity and venture capital (2006–2025), The Legal 500, and The National Law Journal’s annual list of “Mergers & Acquisitions Trailblazers,” among numerous other accolades.

In addition to his professional achievements, Lenihan brings extensive board and nonprofit governance experience. He most recently served on the national board of directors of Thrive Scholars and has previously served on the executive committee of Choate and held multiple leadership roles within the firm, including co-chair of the Private Equity Practice Group and co-chair of the Business Department.

Lenihan is also deeply connected to the sport of track and field. A former NCAA Division I athlete at Dartmouth College, he competed in three NCAA Division I Championships and was a member of Dartmouth’s men’s cross-country teams that placed second nationally in 1986 and 1987, the highest finish ever by an Ivy League program. A three-time First Team All-Ivy performer in the steeplechase, Lenihan was a team captain and a U.S. U20 National Champion in the 2000m steeplechase. He also represented the United States at the inaugural 1986 IAAF World Junior Track & Field Championships in Athens, Greece, and was later inducted into the Wearers of the Green, Dartmouth’s sports hall of fame.

“As a former athlete, I am a passionate advocate and supporter of all things related to track and distance running,” said Lenihan.