From Pullout to Participation: USATF Reverses Course on World U20 Championships

The U.S. Track and Field (USATF) has announced a change of heart in its decision not to participate in the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru in August. After consulting with World Athletics and the Local Organizing Committee, USATF has decided to send a team to represent Team USA at the event. This decision comes just a month after USATF initially pulled out due to concerns such as travel advisories and competitive readiness.

The safety and well-being of USATF athletes, coaches, managers, and staff remain a top priority for the organization. They have committed to providing their 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 are scheduled to be held on June 12-13, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon.

This is not the first time the U.S. has had to pull out of the World U20 Championships. In 2021, Team USA decided not to participate in the event held in Nairobi, Kenya due to safety concerns related to COVID. However, the U.S. will have the opportunity to host the 2026 World U20 Championships when the competition takes place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.