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/
Sonoma State University to eliminate entire athletics department
Sonoma State University has announced the elimination of its entire NCAA Division II athletics program, which includes women’s track and field and cross country teams, effective at the end of the spring season, as part of measures to address a $23.9 million budget deficit. SSU is also implementing faculty reductions, closing six academic departments, and enacting a campus-wide hiring freeze. An advocacy group, Save Seawolves Athletics, has formed in the wake of the announcement. The university estimates a $3.7 million savings from discontinuing athletics.
Gabby Thomas shares about aggressive men following her travels
Gabby Thomas, the 2024 Olympic 200m gold medalist, shared on TikTok that she is being stalked by a group of middle-aged men who have followed her to multiple US cities, describing disturbing and aggressive encounters, including a time when she declined to sign autographs at the airport, among others. She suggests that the men seem to know her flight details, which has made her feel unsafe when traveling. She is unsure how they obtain her flight information.
Duplantis and Warholm confirmed for China Diamond League meets
World champions Mondo Duplantis and Karsten Warholm are set to commence their Diamond League seasons with appearances in Xiamen on April 26 and Keqiao on May 3. Duplantis, the Olympic pole vault champion, has a successful history in China, having set a then world record of 6.24m in Xiamen last year. This will be Warholm’s first competition in China.
Likely delay for Olympic Esports Games
The inaugural Olympic Esports Games, initially planned for 2025 in Saudi Arabia, may be postponed until 2027 due to the need for more time to establish a new hosting and financing model. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not officially confirmed the delay, stating that “discussions within the Joint Committee are still ongoing” to ensure the event becomes “a landmark event both for the world of esports and within the Olympic Movement.” As of now, no specific games, dates, venues, or qualification processes have been announced.
Join the MEB Foundation at the Chicago Marathon
The MEB Foundation, founded by New York City and Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi, has opened applications to join their charity team at the 2025 Chicago Marathon. This is the Foundation’s first time as a charity partner at the Chicago Marathon, and follows years of participation of a similar program for both the New York and Boston races. Interested runners will be expected to raise a minimum of $4000 and can apply via Charity Teams.
Weekend Viewing
Friday:
- BU John Terrier Classic: 10:30am ET on Flotrack
- Razorback Invitational: 6:30pm ET on ESPN+ / SECN+
Saturday:
- BU Terrier Classic: 10:30am ET on Flotrack
- Razorback Invitational: Noon ET on ESPN+ / SECN+
Sunday:
- New Balance Indoor Grand Prix: 4pm ET on NBC and Peacock
A full listing of the weekend’s broadcasts and streams is available via the USTFCCCA
