USATF finally cracked and agreed to pay the travel expenses for Renee and Anselm. This is exactly what happens when we force these bureaucrats to account for their pathetic lack of support. Keep watching them because they only do the right thing when we hold their feet to the fire.
October 6, 2015
Final supporters
July 29 update: We did it! Anselm and Renee report that USATF will assume travel expenses for both of them to Beijing. More details are here. Thanks to all who signed this petition and helped pressure USATF to do the right thing!
World Masters Athletics has chosen Americans Renee Shepherd and Anselm LeBourne to compete in prestigious masters exhibition events at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing. Renee will race the 400 and Anselm the 800.
But USA Track & Field, based in Indianapolis, is supplying only a uniform kit and sundries — and not underwriting their travel expenses, which could exceed $1,500 each.
USA Masters Track & Field, a committee of USATF, did not budget for the Beijing possibility and failed to inform the national office of the potential need. But the parent organization, with an $11 million annual commitment from Nike, has money for its elite team, coaches and managers. USATF should underwrite all expenses not covered by WMA and IAAF.
Please join me in calling on USATF to rectify this oversight and honor our Team USA masters representatives. Reimburse Renee and Anselm for any travel expenses related to their Beijing trip. Better yet, buy their tickets now!
Updates
July 29, 2015
The pressure is working and the suits at USATF are finally feeling the heat. They ignored Renee and Anselm for too long but they cannot dodge this mountain of public outrage.
Reached 100 supporters
July 29, 2015
52 Comments
It seems unfathomable that no one at the USATF thought about the needs of these athletes, and unconscionable that after invitations are extended that no show of support has occurred. Other countries know how to treat their athletes. Clearly the USATF needs to do better.
I have written this up on the USATF Officials FB page and shared it with my friends. I too find this to be a huge embarrassing oversight. And now with the French supplying their athlete with FULL team privileges---it is all the more so. Call the National Office and complain...this can/should be rectified 317-261-0500. Respectfully Don Schaefer
raise my USATF dues if necessary but please find the finances to send these two deserving athletes to represent all of US maters track and field by competing on the most significant stage in the world this summer...it is in keeping with the spirit of our great sport, don't you agree?
As a former 2x Indoor National Champion, I am ashamed that any athlete chosen by the USATF to participate in one of their meets must pay his or her own way. Where does a bulk of the money come from if not from adults who continue to run for many years? I ran against Anselm in the late 70's and early '80's, over 35 years of continued dedication is inspiring. Reach deep USATF and do the right thing.
USATF has 5 categories of coaches for membership, 4 categories of officials and if you're an athlete, you can check either athlete or disabled athlete. If you are an athlete and are chosen to represent the USA, then your expenses should be covered just like "open" athletes.
USATF must support these amazing representatives of T&F in the US. Not only are they each incredible athletes, but Renee and Anselm are two of the most respected, admired, humble, and worthy ambassadors the US could possibly have
Please fund our athletes who were chosen to represent the United States.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
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USATF finally cracked and agreed to pay the travel expenses for Renee and Anselm. This is exactly what happens when we force these bureaucrats to account for their pathetic lack of support. Keep watching them because they only do the right thing when we hold their feet to the fire.
October 6, 2015
Final supporters
July 29 update: We did it! Anselm and Renee report that USATF will assume travel expenses for both of them to Beijing. More details are here. Thanks to all who signed this petition and helped pressure USATF to do the right thing!
World Masters Athletics has chosen Americans Renee Shepherd and Anselm LeBourne to compete in prestigious masters exhibition events at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing. Renee will race the 400 and Anselm the 800.
But USA Track & Field, based in Indianapolis, is supplying only a uniform kit and sundries — and not underwriting their travel expenses, which could exceed $1,500 each.
USA Masters Track & Field, a committee of USATF, did not budget for the Beijing possibility and failed to inform the national office of the potential need. But the parent organization, with an $11 million annual commitment from Nike, has money for its elite team, coaches and managers. USATF should underwrite all expenses not covered by WMA and IAAF.
Please join me in calling on USATF to rectify this oversight and honor our Team USA masters representatives. Reimburse Renee and Anselm for any travel expenses related to their Beijing trip. Better yet, buy their tickets now!
Updates
July 29, 2015
The pressure is working and the suits at USATF are finally feeling the heat. They ignored Renee and Anselm for too long but they cannot dodge this mountain of public outrage.
Reached 100 supporters
July 29, 2015
52 Comments
I've known Anselm Lebourne since he started competing at Seton Hall University. The expenses are a mere drop in the bucket for USATF. Opportunities like this come once in a life time. They are both Ambassadors of our Great sport. Let's show some USA pride for once.
It seems unfathomable that no one at the USATF thought about the needs of these athletes, and unconscionable that after invitations are extended that no show of support has occurred. Other countries know how to treat their athletes. Clearly the USATF needs to do better.
I have written this up on the USATF Officials FB page and shared it with my friends. I too find this to be a huge embarrassing oversight. And now with the French supplying their athlete with FULL team privileges---it is all the more so. Call the National Office and complain...this can/should be rectified 317-261-0500. Respectfully Don Schaefer
raise my USATF dues if necessary but please find the finances to send these two deserving athletes to represent all of US maters track and field by competing on the most significant stage in the world this summer...it is in keeping with the spirit of our great sport, don't you agree?
As a former 2x Indoor National Champion, I am ashamed that any athlete chosen by the USATF to participate in one of their meets must pay his or her own way. Where does a bulk of the money come from if not from adults who continue to run for many years? I ran against Anselm in the late 70's and early '80's, over 35 years of continued dedication is inspiring. Reach deep USATF and do the right thing.
USATF has 5 categories of coaches for membership, 4 categories of officials and if you're an athlete, you can check either athlete or disabled athlete. If you are an athlete and are chosen to represent the USA, then your expenses should be covered just like "open" athletes.
USATF must support these amazing representatives of T&F in the US. Not only are they each incredible athletes, but Renee and Anselm are two of the most respected, admired, humble, and worthy ambassadors the US could possibly have
Please fund our athletes who were chosen to represent the United States.
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I've known Anselm Lebourne since he started competing at Seton Hall University. The expenses are a mere drop in the bucket for USATF. Opportunities like this come once in a life time. They are both Ambassadors of our Great sport. Let's show some USA pride for once.