USATF announces 2006 Indoor Visa Championship Series

INDIANAPOLIS - American track and field athletes this winter will take another step on their journey toward the 2008 Olympics with the 2006 Indoor Visa Championship Series, whose schedule was announced Monday by USA Track & Field.

With the series beginning and concluding in tradition-rich Boston, fans around the country will be able to watch as American stars compete throughout the indoor season, aiming for a Team USA berth for the 2006 World Indoor Championships in Moscow.

The Visa Championship Series begins January 28 with the Reebok Boston Indoor Games at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. It continues February 3 at the most historic invitational meet in indoor track and field, the 99^th Millrose Games at New York's Madison Square Garden. On February 10 it moves to the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The final stop returns the Visa Championship Series to Boston's Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center for the 2006 AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, held February 24-26. More than 500 of America's top athletes will compete in Boston for the right to compete at World Indoors, March 10-12 in Moscow. The top two finishers in each event will punch their tickets for Russia.

Adding to the excitement of competition, the Visa Championship Series features over $1.5 million in prize and promotional dollars, including a $50,000 jackpot and prize package going to the Indoor Visa Champions. Visa Champions will be the top male and female performers of the Visa Championship Series.

The Visa Championship Series enters its second year as USA Track & Field and Visa prepare for the road to Beijing. Visa's involvement in USATF elite athlete development continues Visa's long-standing commitment to helping USATF develop the country's preeminent track and field athletes. At the same time, it helps Visa engage its Member financial institutions and merchant partners to build their business in Olympic-related marketing activities and events between Olympic Games.

TV time

The 2006 Visa Championship Series television series begins with coverage of the Reebok Boston Indoor Games on January 29 on ESPN2. The 99th Millrose Games will be broadcast February 5 on ESPN2, with the Tyson Invitational scheduled to air on February 12 on ESPN2 and the AT&T USA Indoor Championship, on ESPN, February 26.

Also set for the airwaves for the first time this winter is the 2006 USA Cross Country Championships, Presented by Gleukos. The Championships will be broadcast nationally on February 20 on ESPN2. The meet features America's best distance runners vying for spots on the U.S. team that will compete in April 1-2 at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

For more information on the Visa Championship Series and Team USA events, visit www.usatf.org

2006 Indoor Visa Championship Series TV Schedule

(Broadcasts subject to change. All times Eastern; check local listings)

Date Event Network Time

Jan. 29 Reebok Boston Indoor Games ESPN2 3-4:30 p.m.

Feb. 5 99^th Millrose Games ESPN2 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Feb. 12 Tyson Invitational ESPN2 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m.

Feb. 26 AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships ESPN 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Additional USATF telecasts

Feb. 20* USA Cross Country Champs, Presented by Gleukos ESPN2 12 a.m.-1a.m.

* Note that the midnight broadcast is late Sunday evening, Feb. 19/early Monday morning, Feb. 20

2006 Indoor Visa Championship Series Event Schedule

Date Event Site

Jan. 28 Reebok Boston Indoor Games Boston (Reggie Lewis Center)

Feb. 3 99^th Millrose Games New York (Madison Square Garden)

Feb. 10 Tyson Invitational Fayetteville, Ark. (Tyson Indoor Track Center)

Feb. 24-26 AT&T USA Indoor Championships Boston (Reggie Lewis Center)