On Monday, more than four months until the U20 World Championships in Lima, Peru, USA Track and Field announced it would withdraw from the championships, citing a variety of issues including travel advisories and competition preparation.
According to the U.S. State Department, Peru is currently under a Level 2 travel advisory, along with Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Sweden.
USATF also cited the dates of the competition (August 26-31) as problematic for “many high school and college athletes who will have already returned to schools and campuses for the 2024-2025 calendar year.” He pointed out that it would happen.
The U.S. last participated in the World Under-20 Team in 2022 in Cali, Colombia, which is currently under a Level 3 advisory and was the top medal earner at the tournament. Last year, the United States participated in the Pan American U20 Championship in Puerto Rico.
The last two World U20 Championships in 2021 and 2022 were held in August. Three years ago, the United States withdrew from Nigeria's World Under-20 team, also citing safety recommendations and concerns about the coronavirus.
Since 1994, the United States has dominated the medal stands at the World Under-20 Championships, leading the medal count nine times in the past 15 tournaments.
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