The Track Minute Daily Report is available Monday through Friday with the top news and stories from the world of track and field. Listen to the Track Minute Daily Report on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and subscribe to the newsletter at https://trackminute.beehiiv.com/
Major personnel changes and layoffs at USATF
Over the past year, five of USA Track & Field’s (USATF) nine highest-ranking and highest-paid staff members have left the organization, including Chief Communications Officer Aarti Parekh, Chief of Athlete Services Aretha Thurmond, and Chief Content Officer Adam Schmenk. These departures come amid financial struggles for USATF, which reported a $5.6 million loss in 2023, leading to speculation that cost-cutting measures may have played a role in the staff turnover. While some sources suggest internal restructuring and financial concerns, USATF has not publicly commented on the reasons behind the high-level exits.
Three high schoolers run sub-4 over the weekend, two from same team
At the BU Terrier DMR Challenge/Last Chance meet, high school seniors Owen Powell, Josiah Tostenson, and Tayvon Kitchen each ran sub-4:00 miles, with Powell setting a new U.S. high school indoor record at 3:56.66. Tostenson’s 3:57.47 places him second all-time indoors, while Kitchen’s 3:59.61 ranks seventh. Notably, Tostenson and Kitchen, both from Crater High School in Oregon, became the first high school teammates to break the 4-minute barrier in the same race.
Kieran Lumb sets new Canadian record in the mile
On Saturday at the Terrier DMR Challenge in Boston, Lumb set a new national indoor mile record, clocking an impressive 3:52.39. This performance eclipses the previous Canadian record of 3:52.54 set by Cameron Proceviat in 2022 and marks Lumb’s third Canadian record; he claimed both the 3000m indoor and outdoor records in 2023.
Anheuser-Busch Inbev extends Olympic sponsorship
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) have extended their worldwide partnership through 2032. This collaboration designates AB InBev’s non-alcoholic beer brand, Corona Cero, as the global beer partner for the Olympic Games, aiming to promote responsible consumption and sustainability.
Over reliance on fitness apps linked to disordered eating and obsessive behavior
A recent study by Flinders University researchers indicates that young adults using diet and fitness apps are more prone to obsessive dietary behaviors and disordered eating compared to non-users. The study suggests that while these apps can promote healthy habits, they may also inadvertently encourage excessive focus on food and exercise. Researchers recommend that app developers incorporate features promoting balanced behaviors to mitigate potential negative effects
