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"Shin Splints"
A Blog by Doug Logan

From Whence We Came

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

In early November of 1967 I returned from a 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam. Despite the fact that I had served my country with some distinction, decorated with two Bronze Stars while fighting with the legendary 101st Airborne Division, I had reached the personal conclusion that much of my sacrifice was spent waging an unjustifiable war. I discovered my country rent by divisions based on opinions of the war and basic civil rights. I had brothers-in-arms of color who gave their blood and limbs in muddy holes next to me, and the thought that they had to come home to fight again for the common decency of acceptance was reprehensible to me.

In 1968, a year like no other in my lifetime, I marched in demonstrations on Washington with fellow veterans. I became inspired by the leadership of both the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, and when these two heroic figures were gunned down within months of each other, my sadness reached almost the level of despair. The Democratic Party Convention in Chicago that summer produced scenes that I never thought would happen in this country.

Then, out of this chaos, in October, an event took place that began to restore my confidence in humanity: the Olympic Games in Mexico City. The games did not begin auspiciously; the local government committed heinous acts of brutality against university students who were demonstrating peacefully. But, the USA was represented by a squad in the sport of Athletics that was perhaps the finest that ever has been assembled. A quirky high jumper named Dick Fosbury single-handedly revolutionized his sport with a new technique that rendered the straddle roll obsolete. When John Carlos and Tommie Smith took the medal stand and courageously made the dignified yet defiant gesture with a gloved fist, I wept. And, my heart and spirit soared when Bob Beamon leapt through space an astounding 29'2 ½", giving rise to the adjective "Beamonesque," meaning an almost incomprehensible and unexpected performance. After watching those and other performances from Mexico, I came to believe the wacky world I was living in might turn out to be OK.

Doug Logan outside the Beijing National Stadium

This week in Beijing, Jim Scherr, CEO of the USOC, hosted a luncheon to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Mr. Beamon's remarkable accomplishment. The luncheon was attended by historic figures from our sport's past. Dick Fosbury was there, resplendent in his red 1968 team double-breasted blazer [still fits!]. I had the honor of sitting at a table with Dr. Tommie C. Smith and his charming wife, Delois. And, during his remarks to the assemblage, Bob Beamon eloquently talked about the passing of the baton of leadership in USATF to me. I take the stewardship of this sport very seriously and was humbled by his expression of confidence.

I have taken the opportunity to seek out some other legendary participants in this sport's history. When I was in Hershey, PA, several weeks ago I spoke at length with Carl Lewis and had an extended conversation with Bruce Jenner. I chatted with Alberto Salazar when I was at our training camp in Dalian. Several nights ago I spent a few minutes talking with Michael Johnson at an IAAF banquet. And, today I had a quiet, private, lunch with Edwin Moses, having a dialogue about the state of the sport.

I will state publicly what I have said privately to all of them. For as long as I hold this job I will treasure and safeguard their legacy. This sport has a rich history of men and women of extraordinary talent, gritty resolve and unimpeachable character. They deserve trophies, awards, competitions and even venues named in their honor, and we are going to find a way to do that.

In addition, I am going to reach out to all of them, sometimes individually, sometimes collectively, for their input and counsel. In these times of challenge, whether it is the poisons that have been introduced to our sport, or the absence of a coherent business model, or the disruption of a change in governance, I will avail myself of this body of wisdom and experience that appears waiting to be tapped. So, to all of them I say: you may rue the day you gave me all those telephone numbers!

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Doug Logan is the CEO of USA Track & Field (USATF), the national governing body for track and field, long distance running, and race walking. Headquartered in Indianapolis, the organization has more than 90,000 members throughout the country.