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USA Track & Field Places President Lananna On Leave Amid FBI Probe

Lananna, who serves as TrackTown USA President, has not been accused of financial improprietyGETTY IMAGES

USA Track & Field has placed President VIN LANANNA on "temporary administrative leave" after learning that he and TrackTown USA were "contacted 'months ago' by federal authorities investigating corruption in the sport," according to a front-page piece by Austin Meek of the Eugene REGISTER-GUARD. Lananna's role at USATF is a "volunteer position." He also serves as TrackTown USA President, which "led lobbying efforts to bring the 2021 World Outdoor Track & Field Championships to Eugene." USATF BOD Chair STEVE MILLER in a statement said the NGB has "no reason to believe" TrackTown and/or Lananna have "done anything wrong and understand that they have been told that they are not a target of the investigation.” He said the decision was made to "avoid any conflict or appearance of conflict of interest in relation to the investigation." Sources said that Lananna had "been at odds" with members of the USATF BOD over "perceived conflicts." The USATF BOD "passed a resolution in October barring Lananna from taking part in discussions related to his outside organizations, including TrackTown, ­Oregon Track Club Elite and entities linked to the 2021 World Championships." The vote came after USATF’s outside counsel "addressed the board regarding conflicts of interest and principles of good governance." Lananna has "not been accused of financial impropriety, but members of the board were uncomfortable with the appearance of the president having say in financial decisions that could benefit his outside interests." Money routinely "flows between USATF and TrackTown, which has organized the Olympic Trials and U.S. Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field" at the Univ. of Oregon (Eugene REGISTER-GUARD, 2/20). Lananna said that he was "surprised" to be placed on leave. In Portland, Ken Goe notes the move was made Sunday in a USATF BOD meeting "conducted mostly in executive session." Lananna: "I've been committed to track and field, this federation and the sport itself for 40 years. I'm going to put my energy into continuing to serve the sport. I don't think this was a necessary action" (Portland OREGONIAN, 2/20).

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