Mathias Resigns Foundation Position

Bob Mathias, two-time Olympic decathlon champion, has resigned as executive director of the National Fitness Foundation because of differences with the foundation’s chief executive officer, George Allen.

Mathias said he will leave the nonprofit public corporation at the end of the month.

In announcing his decision, Mathias said he disagreed with Allen’s use of the foundation’s general fund for a recent youth camp at UC Irvine.

“I believe George went against the wishes of the trustees, who had said that the program had to be funded by a separate grant,” Mathias said.

He also said that his duties were reduced and his salary cut in half by Allen.

Contacted at his Redondo Beach office, Allen, former head coach of the Rams and Washington Redskins in the National Football League and the Arizona Wranglers in the United States Football League, said he would not comment on Mathias’ charges.

“The less said about it the better,” Allen said. “It’s unfortunate he’s said these things because so many people have worked so hard as volunteers to get us where we are now.”