AMERICAN TRACK LEAGUE UNVEILS 400M AND HIGH JUMP START LIST FOR SUNDAY'S MEET TO OPEN THE 2021 PROFESSIONAL TRACK SEASON

Vashti Cunningham, Des Moines 2018 USA Champs, photo by Mike Deering / The Shoe Addicts

The American Track League is a big deal. It gives track geeks a chance to see athletics and athletes a chance to compete. The opening meet will have women’s HJ and men’s 400m among the six events.

To learn more about the American Track League, please see our interview with Paul Doyle, the impressario at American Track League:

https://www.runblogrun.com/2021/01/runblogrun-presents-socialing-the-distance-2.html

AMERICAN TRACK LEAGUE UNVEILS 400M AND HIGH JUMP START LIST FOR SUNDAY’S MEET TO OPEN THE 2021 PROFESSIONAL TRACK SEASON

ATLANTA: The American Track League’s four-week series of indoor events will kick off Sunday, January 24^th, with an elite field of track & field stars for the first competition in the US of 2021. In what promise to be a fast-paced race to start the season, Fred Kerley leads the men’s 400m pack, while the high jump field features young phenom Vashti Cunningham. Additional event start lists will be announced throughout the week including a stacked field in the men’s and women’s 60m that will feature a wildcard twist.

Women’s High Jump Start List:

Vashti Cunningham	USA
Amina Smith	USA
Jelena Rowe	USA
Rachel McCoy	USA
Tynita Butts	USA
Taliyah Brooks	USA

Men’s 400m Start List Fred Kerley	USA
Christopher Taylor	JAM
Wil London	USA
Myles Pringle	USA
Kyle Clemmons	USA
Quincy Hall	USA

American Track League’s made-for-TV, four-meet, indoor elite track and field series will be broadcast live on ESPN/ESPN2. The series, which features the top men’s and women’s track and field athletes in the world, have also been added to the World Athletics 2021 Silver Label Tour.

The 2021 season, which was originally to take place in various cities around the USA, will take place at one location in order to create a strict and comprehensive COVID protocol for all athletes, coaches and officials. The four meets will be held on thecampus of the University of Arkansas at the Randal Tyson Track and Field Center. The 2021 edition of the American Track League will not have fans in attendance. However, these made-for-TV meets will be two hours in length and include some modified events to create more fan engagement and excitement.

As part of the World Athletics Continental Silver Tour, the athletes have the opportunity to earn bonus points, based on their performances, that can enhance their ability to advance to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. With international travel limited and the number of events leading into Olympic Trials in June still unconfirmed, the opportunity is critical for athletes to gain A standard scores to secure minimum eligibility for the games.

TENTATIVE Meet Schedule and TV Station/Times (Order of events and final event lists to be finalized)

Sunday, January 24, 2021 Randal Tyson Track and Field CenteFayetteville, AR, ESPN 2-4PM (Central)

Men’s Events: 60M 400M 60HH SP

Women’s Events: 60M 300M 400M 60H PV HJ

Sunday, January 31, 2021 Randal Tyson Track and Field Center Fayetteville, AR, ESPN2 1-3PM (Central)

Men’s Events:	60M	200M	800M	60HH	SP
Women’s Events:	60M	400M	Mile	60H	PV	LJ

Sunday, February 7, 2021 Randal Tyson Track and Field Center, Fayetteville, AR, ESPN 3:30-5:30PM (Central)

Men’s Events:	60M	400M	Mile	60HH	LJ
Women’s Events:	60M	200M	800M	60H	PV	HJ

Sunday, February 14, 2021 Randal Tyson Track and Field Center, Fayetteville, AR

Triple World Champion Noah Lyles set to return to Boston for New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on Feb. 4 World silver medalist Gabby Thomas and 2022 World Champion Jake Wightman confirmed for the 29th-annual event at the TRACK at New Balance

Defending Champion Alicia Monson and World Bronze Medalist Konstanze Klosterhalfen Headline Terrific Women’s 3000m at the 115th Millrose Games, February 11th at The Armory

Is this the end of the road for Akani Simbine after losing his titles in 2022?

ESPN/ESPN2 TBD (Central)
Men’s Events: 60M	300M	800M 60HH	SP
Women’s Events: 60M	400M	1000M 60H	PV

Quotes:

Paul Doyle (CEO/Founder) American Track League

“We are extremely excited to be able to pull this off despite the challenging times. Olympic sport needs exposure to thrive and these athletes need these competitions to prepare and qualify for the 2021 Olympic Games. Arkansas Vice-Chancellor and Director of Athletics, Hunter Yurachek, and the University of Arkansas support staff, has just been incredible in supporting us. They recognize the desperate need we have for these events to take place and the value that we can bring to the institution. Without their support, we would be dead in the water, so I must give sincere thanks to the University of Arkansas. “

Bryan Fetzer (Chief Operations Director) American Track League

“What an incredible opportunity the American Track League presents. The concept is a unique opportunity for the Olympic hopefuls to shine on one of the biggest sports stages in all of sports with ESPN. The vision for ATL by Doyle Management Group, with the help of the University of Arkansas staff and administration, is what the sport desperately needs. It is something different, special and tremendously exciting. What an incredible way to begin an Olympic year

About American Track League

The American Track League is a series of four meets being held in the United States in Fayetteville, AR. The ATL was founded in 2013 by Paul Doyle and has continued for the past eight years providing elite competition in the US for thousands of athletes. Providing a condensed, fast paced and unique format has been at the center of the ATL to entertain and engage fans, even from the couches of their own homes

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."

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