INDIANAPOLIS (March 8, 2023) — USATF is pleased to announce that three new members have joined its Board of Directors. Effective January 1, 2023, Tonja Buford- Bailey serves as the Coaches Advisory Representative, Bernard Lagat as an Athlete Advisory Committee (AAC) Representative, and Kibwé Johnson as AAC Representative (alternate seat), respectively. Tonja Buford-Bailey brings life-long experience in track and field as an athlete and coach, including collegiate and elite-level. The Olympic medalist is serving as a representative for coaches to support and advance their interests on the Board. Lagat and Johnson joined the Board, having served on the AAC since 2016. Lagat is a long-time advocate for athletes, and his new role on the Board reflects USATF’s ongoing commitment to increasing athlete representation and amplifying athletes’ voices. For his part, two-time Olympian Johnson will serve as an alternate AAC Representative. USATF CEO Max Siegel said: “I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our new USATF Board of Directors members. Tonja Buford-Bailey, Bernard Lagat, and Kibwé Johnson have unmatched collective experience with track and field, ranging from the grassroots level to the world’s biggest competitions. I am confident that they will bring a diversity of skill and thought to the Board and serve as excellent representatives for coaches and athletes during this very exciting time for our sport.” USATF Board Chair and High Performance Division Chair Michael Conley said: “We are very pleased to add three new board members to USATF who have each displayed a deep passion and dedication to the sport of track and field throughout their lives. I look forward to working closely with Tonja, Bernard, Kibwé and our entire Board to continue building on USATF’s historic success on and off the track.” USATF President and Board Vice-Chair Vin Lananna said: “I am delighted to welcome Tonja Buford-Bailey, Bernard Lagat, and Kibwé Johnson to the USATF Board. Each of them brings an array of unique professional experiences and strong connections in track and field that will be incredibly impactful as we prepare for the World Athletics Championships this summer and the Paris 2024 Olympics next year.” The new members were elected by their respective constituent groups to fill vacant seats. Buford-Bailey, Lagat and Johnson will each serve a term of four years. Further background on the new members can be found below.
Buford-Bailey is a three-time Olympian and bronze medalist in the 400 m hurdles that has been involved in track and field for most of her life. She first took up the sport at the age of eight. After competing at every level and major competition, she transitioned to coaching. Buford-Bailey’s robust coaching experience includes coaching Team USA at the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Berlin 2009 World Athletics Championships, as well as several years at the collegiate level. She was named the USATF Nike Coach of the Year in 2016.
Lagat has served on the AAC since 2016 and is also a World Athletics Commission Member. He is the current Head Coach of Men and Women’s Cross Country at the University of Arizona and is a decorated five-time Olympian and four-time captain of Team USA. As a liaison between USATF athletes and World Athletics, Lagat advocates for athletes in areas such as safeguarding, rule changes, schedules, safety, financial matters, and venue selections. He is well-versed in communicating with athletes daily on a variety of matters.
Johnson is a two-time Olympian and three-time Team USA coach. He has been involved in track and field at multiple levels and brings extensive experience to the USATF Board of Directors. Johnson has coached high school and elite athletes, helping them achieve national rankings and NCAA Power 5 scholarship opportunities. He is currently the Director of Track and Field at SPIRE Academy, an international high school and postgraduate sports performance training and education academy. On the USATF AAC, Johnson is an Event Leader for Men’s Throws.
USA Track & Field (USATF), based in Indianapolis, is the National Governing Body for track and field, long distance running, and race walking in the U.S. The organization provides leadership for Athletics, the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, and develops and selects Team USATF, #1 in the World. USATF also provides leadership to school-aged, prep, collegiate, and adult athletic programs and competitions. With more than 30 million adult runners in the U.S., the organization’s activities are broad, encompassing sanctioning more than 8,000 events annually and nurturing grassroots programs, such as the Junior Olympics, to help develop the future stars of the sport.