HERE’S THIS MONTH’S collection of short takes on generally off-track activities that have gone/will go a long way towards shaping the way the sport is headed.
United Nations Meet On Golf Courses
As this fall’s collegiate cross country unfolds, you won’t be able to help but notice the foreign-athlete influence. As one close observer of the scene noted, “Some programs that formerly didn’t tend to recruit Kenyans have now gone whole hog in the other direction.”
Looking at the results of two major early-season meets, here’s some relevant numbers: Cowboy Stampede: 20 of the top 30 men foreign, 16 of 30 women; Gans Creek 22 of 50 men, 24 of 50 women. That’s 51.3%.
But although it’s largely the Kenyan influence, it’s not just runners from that East African powerhouse. Gans Creek also had representation from Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Kenya, Morocco, New Zealand, South Africa & Switzerland. In addition to many of those, Cowboy added Ecuador, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Uganda & United Arab Emirates.
Hocker Victim Of “Amateur Officials”?
Heading to Japan, our formchart predicted a medal for Cole Hocker. Thing is, we got both the event and the medal’s color wrong. The reigning Olympic 1500 champ was DQed from that event for a “jostling” incident in the homestretch of his semifinal heat.
“We want to be a professional sport but are directed by amateur officials who can’t see the value of the world seeing the best 1500m race in the world,” Flynn Sports wrote under an Instagram post from Hocker’s training group Team Sova.
Said USATF, “We are disappointed by the decision to disqualify Olympic champion Cole Hocker from the men’s 1500m final. We believed we had grounds for an appeal and unfortunately, that appeal was denied.”
Analyzed former champ Steve Cram, now a BBC commentator, “The Americans will counter-protest. They are absolutely miffed. That’s the Olympic champion, that’s not good for the sport and we’d love him to be there. But at the same time Hocker panicked there and he did impede the German athlete.”
Big Bucks From USATF Foundation
The country’s elite athletes owe a lot to the USATF Foundation, particularly in the form of businessman/philanthropist Stephen A. Schwarzman’s annual grants.
This year’s awards total $3.65M in two levels. The high level will hand out $40,000 stipends to 65 athletes and the low level $30,000 to another 35.
“I’m honored to support these athletes in Tokyo and on the road to Los Angeles,” said Schwarzman. “Their sacrifice and determination to represent our country on the world stage is inspiring and deserves our utmost respect.”
These grants provide financial resources to help cover expenses such as training, travel, recovery, medical, living expenses and other vital needs of these professional athletes.
Separately, the Foundation also awarded $675,000 in Elite Athlete Development Grants of $15,000 to 45 performers.
4-Year Ban For Sprint Prodigy Knighton
Still only 21, but holder of the World Junior Record in the 200 since ’22, Erriyon Knighton has been slapped with a major ban following a CAS decision. Twice an Olympic half-lap 4th-placer, he tested positive for Trenbolone, a muscle enhancer, in March of ’24.
He was initially cleared by an independent arbitrator after submitting evidence claiming the adverse findings were due to meat contamination.
WA and WADA found the evidence “fell short of the required proof of source” and was “statistically impossible,” so lodged an appeal. CAS has now ruled in their favor.
“The CAS panel determined that there is no proof that would support the conclusion that oxtail imported into the USA would be likely to contain Trenbolone residues at the level required to have caused the athlete’s adverse analytical finding,” CAS concluded.
Kansas Relays Up In The Air
This much we do know: the Jayhawks won’t be hosting their long time April feature next year. After that…? The Kansas Relays debuted in 1923 and was for many years a crucial link, along with Texas and Drake, in the Midwest Relay Circuit. Triple crowns were very much a big thing in those days. A special mile with Kansas alum Jim Ryun in ’72 drew a crowd estimated at 32,000.
But that was then, and as for coming years, AD Travis Goff said KU will evaluate whether, for example, it could return as an event that only takes place every few years.
He said he hopes the meet’s absence is only temporary. “This isn’t ‘never again,’” he says. “This is just, ‘We don’t yet know how best to manage the Relays going forward.’ And so for the betterment of the big picture, we’ve at least had to make a short-term decision here.”
No Welteji In Tokyo Women’s 1500
Originally viewed as a strong contender for a WC podium spot in the metric mile, ’23 silver medalist Diribe Welteji was removed from the event in the week before the meet began.
The 23-year-old star was suspended for refusing a test in May, but the Ethiopian authorities cleared her in August. The AIU (Athletics Integrity Unit) appealed that ruling (as did WA) and asked CAS to hold her out of competition pending a full hearing.
Said CAS, “The request for provisional measures has been upheld and Ms. Welteji is suspended for the duration of the CAS arbitration procedure. The parties are exchanging written proceedings and with their agreement, a hearing will be scheduled. Proceedings whilst ongoing are confidential.”
A Medalist Hard To Find
’21 Olympic shot runner-up Raven Saunders fell afoul of “whereabouts” rules the next year, showing up missing on January 08, May 26 & August 15. As a result, USADA tagged her with an 18-month suspension, starting with the missed third date.
On her return she made the Olympic final in ’24, but finished off the year with another third whereabouts strike (April 19, May 17, December 26).
Said USADA in announcing the new case in September, “Because this is Saunders’s second rule violation, she is subject to an increased sanction based on her degree of fault and the totality of the circumstances. USADA determined that an increased 30-month period of ineligibility was appropriate based on the circumstances of the case.”
Anything Goes For Kerley?
“The World Record has always been the ultimate goal of my career. This now gives me the opportunity to dedicate all my energy to pushing my limits and becoming the fastest human to ever live.”
The speaker is ’22 world 100 champion Fred Kerley, and “this” is the controversial Enhanced Games, due to debut next year. “I’m looking forward to this new chapter” said the 30-year-old Texan in becoming the first name trackster to announce he would run on the new anything-goes circuit which will allow athletes to take banned performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision.
Kerley, who is pointing towards the million-dollar WR prize, is currently fighting a whereabouts suspension imposed by the AIU in August.
GST Finances Spur Questions
Although rumors abound that founder Michael Johnson made money off his Grand Slam Track tour, the sprint legend denies it.
A representative for the 4-time Olympic champion told The Guardian that, contrary to the speculation he had been paid some $2M during the event, he had actually lost more than $2M of his own money before pulling the plug.
“The rumors that Michael Johnson has received $2M or profited in any way from Grand Slam Track are categorically false,” said a GST rep. “In fact, Michael has actually put over $2M of his own money into the project. We are working hard in real time to secure additional funds, and Michael has asked for patience while we try to fix this.”
In early October Front Office Sports reported some major funding had been secured, although it isn’t enough to cover all of the league’s debts, which are about $11 million owed to athletes and roughly $8 million owed to vendors. But the league wired athletes half of what they are owed Friday and next plans to pay off some of its vendor debts. One athlete representative confirmed to FOS that the money had arrived early Friday morning. ◻︎
