Read for Speed

USA Track & Field's Mission Statement:
The mission of USATF is to provide vision and leadership to the sport of Athletics in the United States, and to promote the pursuit of excellence from youth to masters, from grass roots to the Olympic Games.

USA Track & Field announces the return of the Read for Speed student literacy program, which will be held in conjunction with this summer's series of Junior Olympics Track & Field competitions.

This year's Junior Olympic program culminates with the National Championships at Miami-Dade's Tropical Park Stadium. As an added incentive this year, all student-athletes who submit their names, along with the title of the book they'll read this summer, by July 11, will be eligible for a grand prize drawing of two airline tickets for a student-athlete and his/her parent to Miami for the July 29-August 3 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, as well as VIP passes to the competition and on-field recognition at the meet.

The USATF Junior Olympics program reaches more than 100,000 young athletes throughout the country each summer - with close to 7,000 competing at the National Championships! Information on the Read For Speed program will be distributed at USATF's meets throughout the summer, and will also appear on usatf.org and the Runner's World-supported website, kidsrunning.com.

"USATF's Mission Statement speaks to the 'pursuit of excellence' and this program meshes nicely with that goal," said USATF President Bill Roe. "The pursuit of excellence cannot be accomplished without education - and it all begins with reading and increased literacy skills for America's youth. During the summer months, our student-athletes spend a lot of time in airplanes, cars and buses, while en route to competitions. This is the perfect opportunity to expand their world by reading."

Athletes in each of the Junior Olympics five age divisions will be encouraged to read from a selection of books in a variety of categories or genres. They can then submit short essays about the books to qualify for inclusion in raffles throughout the summer for USATF merchandise and other prizes, including Nike running spikes!

Here's how "Read for Speed" works:

  1. Read any number of books from these categories (or one of your own choice!). Each book report counts as an entry, so the more you read, the better your chances of winning!
  2. Write a short summary of the book (it can be a paragraph; or longer if you wish!).
  3. E-mail it to us at ReadForSpeed@usatf.org; fax your book report to "Read for Speed" (remember to include your name and contact information) at 317-261-0481; or mail it to USATF - Read for Speed, One RCA Dome, Suite 140, Indianapolis, IN 46225.
  4. Check the websites to see if your name is drawn for USATF merchandise and other prizes!

The final entry deadline for additional prizes for the "Read for Speed" program is September 1, 2003. USATF will also randomly select book reports for publication on usatf.org and kidsrunning.com. All kids submitting published stories will be eligible for special prizes and drawings throughout the summer.

A list of some reading suggestions is also available.

Check here for the winners.

Good luck with your track and field training...and don't forget to READ FOR SPEED!