RENO -- USATF kicked off its 41st Annual Meeting on Thursday with over 1,000 USATF administrators, coaches, volunteers and athletes set to attend more than 200 scheduled meetings at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada over the four-day gathering. USATF CEO Max Siegel began Opening Session by welcoming newly-reinstated USATF President and Board Chair Vin Lananna to the stage. “Let’s continue to keep athletes at the center of everything we do,” Lananna said. “We have the greatest sport in the world.” Lannana went on to present the USATF President’s Awards to ten outstanding individuals. He concluded with the presentation of the 2019 Robert Giegengack Award to longtime USATF Law & Legislation Chair Judge Jim Murphy. Read more about the President's Award recipients here and Robert Giegengack here. Max Siegel delivers 2019 State of the Sport In his eighth address as USATF CEO, Max Siegel celebrated the organization’s successes by first thanking the volunteers who go to great lengths to ensure the growth and maintenance of the sport. “Thank you for your tireless work, your commitment to our sport and your dedication to being the best of the best,” Siegel said. “I want you to know that the National Office appreciates you, the organization is better because of you, and we thank you.” Team USATF dominates in 2019 competition On the elite side, American athletes set four world records, nine American records and six American U20 (Junior) records in 2019. USATF Masters athletes broke 70 world records across indoor and outdoor track. Team USATF had 178 athletes compete at the World Masters Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland and won a combined 159 medals (62 gold, 48 silver and 49 bronze). They also set 11 world records in the process. Team USATF Future Stars dominated the Pan American U20 Championships claiming 50 out of 132 medals with 21 of the 44 gold medals. USATF Youth Athlete of the Year Athing Mu from USATF New Jersey’s Trenton Track Club set an open American record in the 600m at the Toyota USATF Indoor Championships, taking down an elite professional field at just 16-years-old. Commercial and international successes continue Earlier in 2019, USATF began partnerships with Toyota and Xfinity Comcast and anticipate additional sponsorship announcements early next year. On the international front, Bernard Lagat was elected to the World Athletics Athletes Commission continuing a consistent U.S. presence on the important committee. Willie Banks was elected as USATF’s World Athletics representative and is now a member of the World Athletics Council. SafeSport efforts remain top priority We must continue to keep our athletes of every age safe -- safe from sexual misconduct, harassment and bullying. USATF continues to cooperate with the United States Center for SafeSport, as well as, legislative and Department of Justice efforts related to this topic. New website ushers in technology overhaul In November, we were very excited to launch the new www.USATF.org website. It represents the first phase of our technology overhaul; the second phase will take place in 2020 with the launch of our membership and sanction applications. Siegel concluded his State of the Sport with expressing excitement for Tokyo 2020 and how Team USATF is primed for another triumphant Olympic Games, and gratitude for a prosperous year. USATF announces Alumni Service Award recipients Aretha Thurmond, a four-time Olympian and USATF Managing Director of International Teams joined Olympian Sharrieffa Barksdale, Senior Manager of Alumni Relations, in presenting the Alumni Service Awards. The Alumni Ambassadors Program facilitates Alumni involvement in the communities where they live and work, encouraging volunteerism and providing a vehicle for alumni to engage with young people. Demetria Davis Pam Spencer Marquez Norm Tate Dr. Bonnie Edmondson Dr. Rev. Mark Crear Martha Watson