There was a lot of discussion in the track and field community after USA Track & Field (USATF) decided not to send a team to the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru.
A seasoned veteran has now rekindled the conversation, pointing to the outstanding performance of young record-breaker Christian Miller as proof. The incident highlights important considerations about developing future talent in the sport, with athletes like Allyson Felix and Usain Bolt rising to international prominence from youth contests.
Christian Miller showcases his incredible talent on the lively “Ready Set Go” YouTube podcast hosted by track dynamos Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green. Miller, who recently set a new U18 World Record in the 100 meters, stunned the world in April 2024 by winning the Pure Athletics Spring Invitational in Clermont, Florida, with a time of 9.93 seconds.
Christian Miller and USATF
Enthralled by Miller’s extraordinary achievement, Gatlin and Green agreed to officially add him to the RSG (Ready Set Go) watch list. Miller’s incredible speed has catapulted him into the spotlight, and everyone is waiting impatiently for his next sprint revelation.
“It’s because of the news that the Lima Under-20 championships have been canceled that I say this. Once again, I believe that’s unfair to our sport because it has prevented a generation of athletes from preparing themselves for the next level, if you get what I mean.
We play a sport where experience, experience, experience is everything, especially for elite athletes.” Justin Gatlin said to Essentiallysports.com
While praising the young athletes’ talent, Gatlin also brought attention to their inexperience, which stems from championships being canceled and denying them exposure to worldwide competition.
For the trials for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Christian Miller was so placed on the watch list by USATF. But this choice sparked discussion about justice and equal opportunity in sports since it seemed to be giving Miller preference over other worthy sportsmen.
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