Contact: Melvin Jackson II
USATF Communications Coordinator
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
317-261-0478 x322
http://www.usatf.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 5, 2002
New USATF mascot sprints into action
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – USA Track & Field on Thursday unveiled a new mascot
during Opening Session of its 2002 Annual Meeting in Kansas City.
“This guy is a first for USA Track & Field,” said President Bill Roe,
introducing the mascot. “We believe that the future of our sport lies with
attracting and keeping youth, and this mascot will be a key to grabbing them
early. The mascot will appear at numerous 2003 events and meetings.”
It marks the first time USATF will have an official mascot, which has yet to
be named. The mascot has a blue body with green hair, and a snout that is in
the form of a globe. The globe represents international competition, as Team
USA, the World’s #1 team competes in the world’s most international sport.
The mascot is the exclusive property of USATF and will be a part of efforts
to brand USATF and the sport of track & field. It is wild and zany on and
off the track and will interact with fans, take part in crowd giveaways and
pose for photos. All USATF Golden Spike Tour Events and select other track
meets will feature the mascot.
The mascot will make appearances in several communities with Team USA
athletes in a campaign to promote the importance of physical fitness among
young people. While the number of physical education programs in the United
States decreases, track and cross-country continues to grow as the #1
participatory sport at the junior high and high school levels.
Track and field fans will soon be able to log on to www.usatf.org to
participate in the naming of the new mascot as well a view the photo gallery
highlighting the mascot’s appearance.
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