• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Oregon21

Niels de Vos, New CEO of Tracktown USA tells all (well, most) in 7 questions: the runblogrun Interview

Larry Ederby Larry Eder
December 13, 2018
0
0 0
0
SHARES
13
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Niels de Vos stepped down at UK Athletics on September 14, 2018 per BBC sports, after 11 years at the helm. On October 5, 2018, Niels de Vos was announced as new CEO for Eugene 2021.

RelatedPosts

Eugene Prepares…compiled by Peter John L. Thompson

2021 Eugene Diary: 2019 USA Track & Field World Champions Welcomed Home with Kickoff for World Athletics Championships in Oregon in 2021

Vin Lananna has resigned as President of Tracktown USA

Niels de Vos headed UKA for 11 years. During that time, he oversaw one of the finest periods in British Athletics. During this time, Mo Farah, Greg Rutherford, Jessica Ennis, among others have emerged, and two retired. London 2012 and London 2017 hosted 2 of the finest events of their caliber and British fans reminded the world that they love athletics.

During his tenure, Fast Track Agency, under Alan Pascoe and Jon Rigdeon(now CMO of IAAF) were uncerimoniously sacked as sponsor development team, and Nike contract was signed after a controversial ending of a long term adidas agreement. Niels de Vos did it, to use the line attributed to the late Frank Sinatra, “his way.”

We reached out to Niels de Vos via social media and he graciously answered the questions noted below. We thank him for his time and wish him well. While de Vos has been surrounded by sharks before, the first World Champs in U.S., and in the land the Nike built, has its own challenges.

The job of CEO is not a beauty contest. It matters little if one is well liked, one must be respected. Actually, it is much better if the CEO is feared. The job of heading a global event is fraught with land mines, and land sharks for that matter. Niels de Vos knows that he must deliver on a major event with many constituencies fighting for his time, his money and for the control of this event.

In the end, Niels de Vos was hired, because, at the end of the day, he must keep control of the event for Eugene 2021 to succeed.

Niels+de+Vos+IAAF+LOC+Press+Conference+zNuQoGnmsu2l.jpgNiels de Vos, photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images Europe/IAAF

runblogrun, #1: What is the biggest lesson that you have learned at the helm of UKA Athletics?


Niels de Vos, 1: The biggest lesson I learned in 10 years at UKA is that global athletics medals are the hardest individual medals to win across the entire Olympic Spectrum. Ours is a sport where the dominant nation (USA) might win the same or fewer gold medals than the dominant individual in the pool or in the velodrome.

runblogrun, #2: What is the biggest lesson that you learned from London 2012?

Niels de Vos, 2: The biggest lesson from London 2012 was how the public embraces national teams in traditionally individual sports. London 2012 created Team GB which is now one of the biggest sports brands in the UK and which has universal affection. We see a similar effect in golf with the Ryder Cup and Tennis with the Davies. Cup but nothing on the scale of the Olympics.

runblogrun, #3: What are the primary reasons behind the success of UK Athletics?

Niels de Vos, 3: The three primary reasons behind UK Athletics success were 1. Better use of lottery funding to focus on genuine medal prospects. 2. The existence of a core of superstars who could be relied upon to medal at every championship, every year. 3. excellent performance and team management staff to get the very best results from the talent we have available.

runblogrun, #4: What were the 3 biggest of challenges in regards to London 2017?

Niels de Vos, 4: The three biggest challenges for 2017 were. 1. Putting on both the IPC and the IAAF world championships back to back when both were bigger than the para athletic and athletic complements of London 2012. 2. Dealing with the challenges of staging the event in a stadium that we could not access until late May due to the football tenancy. 3. Being responsible for both the UK team performance and the event (as CEO of UKA and of London 2017).

runblogrun, #5: Give us the three biggest challenges of Eugene 2021, as you see them?

Niels de Vos, 5: The 3 biggest challenges for Eugene 2021. Probably too early to say but first impressions would be 1. Scale – the stadium and its campus environment are not built for an event of this size and logistical impact. 2. Profile. The sport will need to work really hard, with all its stakeholders, to ensure the event cuts through in the mainstream US Sports market. 3. Timtabling – finding the optimum schedule to satisfy the lived audience and the global TV market. An 8pm track final here will be bedtime on the east coast, And 4am in London.

runblogrun, #6: Have you moved to Eugene, as of yet?

Niels de Vos, 6: I am renting a place in Eugene, a 10 minute jog from where the magnificent Hayward Field is emerging.

runblogrun, #7: Any final thoughts on this first interview?

Niels de Vos, 7: It is worth saying that I have massive optimism for Eugene 21. The stadium will be stunning, the sessions will be packed with fans who will be the most knowledgable ever assembled, and the event is being created with the athletes at the epicentre – my mantra is ‘for the tracksuits not for the suits’. The opportunity for Track and Field to use Oregon 21 to reclaim its status as a premier US sport, and to maintain that staus through to LA 28 and beyond, is a fantastic proposition and a prize that everyone who loves track and field must be excited about.

Author

  • Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts
Previous Post

2018 Cal International Diary: Joanna Thompson writes on ZAP Fitness debuts and Olympic Trials Qualifiers!

Next Post

2018 HOKA ONE ONE Postal Nationals Fall Training, Week Thirteen, Day 5, a light day before a race

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

PLANNING FOR A WORLD CLASS MARATHON, by Carolyn Mather for RunBlogRun
Road Racing

PLANNING FOR A WORLD CLASS MARATHON, by Carolyn Mather for RunBlogRun

June 19, 2025
2022 RunBlogRun, Recovery, Week 1, Day 7 (June 19, 2022)
Interviews

NOW FOCUSED ON THE ROADS, KLECKER TO RUN BOSTON 10-K ON SUNDAY

June 20, 2025
Seven Scandinavian takeaways
Diamond League

Mondo 628 WR, Wanyonyi 1:41.95 WL, Benjamin 46.54 WL, Almgren 12:44.27 ER in Stockholm Diamond League

June 20, 2025
USATF:  Great Performances Are Looming  Prelims Reveal Athletes Are Ready
News

Christian Coleman Stands at a Career Crossroads With No Clear Lane Ahead

June 20, 2025
Coffee with Larry, March 31, 2025, Grand Slam Track almost here, The TEN was huge success, thoughts on World Indoors, and more on world athletics!
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 19, 2025, week 14, day 4, final week of sharpening, Third week, transition from track to cross country.

June 19, 2025
Morning after Thoughts on Bislett
Diamond League

US athletes run, jump and throw in Oslo Bislett (11-12 June 2025)

June 20, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

April 5, 2023
2023 Nike Pre Classic: Two Amazing Days of Track & Field!

Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

March 7, 2024
Grand Slam Track’s Kingston Slam Comes to a Close with 12 Slam Champions

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

April 12, 2025
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

February 6, 2025
Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

8
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
PLANNING FOR A WORLD CLASS MARATHON, by Carolyn Mather for RunBlogRun

PLANNING FOR A WORLD CLASS MARATHON, by Carolyn Mather for RunBlogRun

June 19, 2025
2022 RunBlogRun, Recovery, Week 1, Day 7 (June 19, 2022)

NOW FOCUSED ON THE ROADS, KLECKER TO RUN BOSTON 10-K ON SUNDAY

June 20, 2025
Seven Scandinavian takeaways

Mondo 628 WR, Wanyonyi 1:41.95 WL, Benjamin 46.54 WL, Almgren 12:44.27 ER in Stockholm Diamond League

June 20, 2025
USATF:  Great Performances Are Looming  Prelims Reveal Athletes Are Ready

Christian Coleman Stands at a Career Crossroads With No Clear Lane Ahead

June 20, 2025

Popular Stories

  • Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
PLANNING FOR A WORLD CLASS MARATHON, by Carolyn Mather for RunBlogRun
Road Racing

PLANNING FOR A WORLD CLASS MARATHON, by Carolyn Mather for RunBlogRun

June 19, 2025
2022 RunBlogRun, Recovery, Week 1, Day 7 (June 19, 2022)
Interviews

NOW FOCUSED ON THE ROADS, KLECKER TO RUN BOSTON 10-K ON SUNDAY

June 20, 2025
Seven Scandinavian takeaways
Diamond League

Mondo 628 WR, Wanyonyi 1:41.95 WL, Benjamin 46.54 WL, Almgren 12:44.27 ER in Stockholm Diamond League

June 20, 2025
USATF:  Great Performances Are Looming  Prelims Reveal Athletes Are Ready
News

Christian Coleman Stands at a Career Crossroads With No Clear Lane Ahead

June 20, 2025

Recent Tweets

Next Post

2018 HOKA ONE ONE Postal Nationals Fall Training, Week Thirteen, Day 5, a light day before a race

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved