(ATR) Olympic gold medalist Mike Conley will serve as acting president of USA Track and Field after Vin Lananna was placed on administrative leave.
USATF placed Lananna on temporary leave on Feb. 19 while the U.S. Department of Justice investigates the U.S. bid to host the 2021 Athletics World Championships in Oregon, among its investigations into hosting rights of other athletics championships.
While Lananna, also president of the 2021 IAAF World Championships that will be hosted in Eugene, retains the presumption of innocence during the investigation, USATF wishes to avoid any appearance or connection with alleged wrongdoing.
"USATF has no reason to believe TrackTown and/or Mr. Lananna have done anything wrong and understand that they have been told that they are not a target of the investigation," USATF board chair Steve Miller said in a statement.
"But to avoid any conflict or appearance of conflict of interest in relation to the investigation, the board voted to place Mr. Lananna on temporary administrative leave until the Department of Justice investigation pertaining to TrackTown and the 2021 World Championships is resolved."
The investigation into the championship is in coordination with the DOJ’s updated inquiry into international sports corruption, including racketeering, money laundering and fraud. The New York Times reported that the Eugene championships, Doha 2019 World Championships and the executives that led these bids are under scrutiny by prosecutors.
Organizers of the 2021 championships have denied all suspicions of corruption that were in part fueled by the lack of a bid process for the event.
"The Eugene bid adhered to all ethical standards for organizing and presenting our bid, and the decision to award the 2021 World Championships to Eugene was made by a vote of the IAAF Council," organizers have said.
Lananna says he regrets the decision taken by the USATF board.
"To be honest, I am surprised and taken aback at the board’s decision," he said in a statement.
"I have been committed to track and field and the members of this federation for over 40 years, and I am dedicated to continuing my service to the sport. I do not agree that this action was necessary."
Written by Kevin Nutley
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