INDIANAPOLIS – USATF will see three Gold 2021 World Athletics Continental Tour events on its recently announced USATF Journey to Gold - Tokyo Outdoor Track & Field Series and other meets with silver and bronze status, USA Track & Field and World Athletics announced today (Wednesday). “Competing on their home soil in the leadup to Tokyo affords our athletes a great opportunity for success,” said USATF CEO Max Siegel. “Additional outdoor meets this year bolster our competition calendar and we look forward to seeing athletes competing again after such a challenging year.” “We wouldn’t have chosen to launch a new global athletics tour on the eve of a pandemic, but the Continental Tour proved to be such a strong concept that it thrived even in these adverse circumstances, with 29 meetings (Gold, Silver and Bronze) held in 2020," said World Athletics President, Sebastian Coe. "The tour has expanded substantially in 2021, to 85 meetings, and we’re delighted that the series has been embraced so enthusiastically in the U.S., with three Gold meetings to be held in 2021, as well as at least nine other Silver and Bronze meetings. These will provided new and vital competition opportunities and prize money for athletes and strengthen our sport both in the USA and internationally. We believe the expanded U.S. calendar is an early legacy of the decision to take our flagship event, the World Athletics Championships to Oregon in 2022, and we are confident there will be further legacies to come.” The USATF Grand Prix on April 24, the USATF Golden Games at Mt. San Antonio College on May 9, and the adidas Boost Boston Games on May 23 have been awarded gold label status. Gold status designates the meet will offer a higher level of World Athletics Ranking points, as well as significant prize money. Additionally, the USATF Sprint Summit, Miramar Invitational, Drake Relays presented by Xtream, USATF Throws Festival, USATF Invitational, and USATF Showcase have all received silver label status on the Continental Tour. The USATF Distance Open, USATF Open, and Chula Vista Field Festival have received bronze status. The 2021 World Athletics Continental Tour opened on February 6 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Click here for a full calendar on the World Athletics website. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all meets are pending USATF, local, and state health protocols and are subject to change. Visit www.usatf.org for up-to-date information. A full broadcast schedule will be released at a later date.
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