Somehow, Story Got on the Wrong Track

Helene Elliott admirably lays out the strategy put forth by USA Track and Field’s CEO, Craig Masback, for bringing track back into the big time. Masback identifies Los Angeles as one of four major U.S. track centers, then states (quite rightly): “Successful events in track and field are those with tradition, and you can’t snap your fingers and have tradition.”

So could Elliott please explain why she writes extensively about the inaugural edition of the L.A. Indoor Track and Field championships on Feb. 11 at Staples Center, but says not one word about the 41st L.A. Invitational Indoor Track Meet on Jan. 20 at the Sports Arena? A meet where over 100 Olympic gold medalists have competed, a meet where “world’s fastest man” Maurice Greene tied a world record two years ago?

Meet organizers Al and Don Franken have worked very hard to keep the L.A. Invitational thriving, despite the withdrawal of longtime meet sponsor Sunkist several years ago--which had little to do with the Frankens and everything to do with the overall decline of U.S. track.

If Masback is really interested in bringing track back--and Elliott is interested in writing an article instead of a commercial--it would seem that the still-ongoing ‘tradition” of the L.A. Invitational might at least rate a mention.

TAD DALEY

Los Angeles