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INTRODUCTION
BackgroundThe Project 30 Task Force was formed in mid-October by USATF CEO Doug Logan toimpartially evaluate USATF High Performance Programs, analyze Team USA Performance inBeijing, and chart a course for programmatic change to maximize Team USA performance inOlympic and World Championship competition. Initially dubbed the USATF High PerformanceAudit Panel, its members were selected by Mr. Logan in consultation with varied individualsthroughout the sport. His stated goal was to choose individuals who werent directly involved inpreparing or coaching the 2008 Olympic Team. Renamed the Project 30 Task Force followingMr. Logans goal of 30 medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, which he made public onDecember 7, 2008, the Project 30 Task Force is composed of Carl Lewis, Benita FitzgeraldMosley, Ralph Mann, Mel Rosen, Aretha Hill Thurmond and Deena Kastor. (Ms. Thurmond andMs. Kastor joined the panel in early December.) The USOC nominated to the Task Force SteveRoush, Doug Ingram and Jay Warwick, making the Task Force a nine-person group. (
See Appendix A
Project 30 Task Force members.
) USATF Director of Communications Jill Geerwas designated as Administrator to the Task Force.MethodologyMr. Logan provided the Task Force with a Charter on October 13, 2008 (s
ee Appendix B
Project 30 Task Force Charter
). The Task Force then received more than 240 pages of documents, reports and reference materials detailing USATFs programs relating to the Charter.After reviewing these materials, the Task Force embarked on a series of interviews viaconference call and in-person meetings. The Task Force as a whole conducted personalinterviews with 30 people, including athletes, personal coaches in various disciplines, nationalteam coaches, college coaches, athlete managers/agents, USATF National Office Staff andUSATF volunteers. In addition to these interviews, the Task Force met with the AthletesAdvisory Committee at USATFs Annual Meeting in Reno, via a Town Hall-style session. Task Force members conducted countless off-line, one-on-one interviews on a personal basis, andmany did their own statistical analyses.ReportIn the report that follows, the Task Force will summarize its findings and set forth a series of recommendations to ensure increased success for the sport domestically and for Americanathletes in international competition. If the Task Forces recommendations are followed, itbelieves that the goals of Project 30 at the 2012 Olympic Games are realistic and attainable.
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