The U.S.A. Track and Field (USATF) has recently reversed its decision not to participate in the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, scheduled for August 26-31, 2024. This change of heart came after USATF consulted with World Athletics and the Local Organizing Committee in Lima, receiving assurances that safety measures will be in place for the event.
The decision to participate in the championships comes just a month after USATF initially pulled out citing concerns such as travel advisories and competitive readiness. However, the safety and well-being of USATF athletes, coaches, managers, and staff remains a top priority for the organization, and 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 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 due to safety concerns related to COVID-19. In 2021, Team USA decided not to participate in the event held in Nairobi, Kenya due to these concerns. However, it’s worth noting that this year’s championships will take place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon where USATF will host the competition in 2026.