Track Meet Runs Into a Hurdle

Organizers of the Powerade Indoor Track and Field Championships met throughout the day Monday to seek solutions to the cash flow and sponsorship problems that have jeopardized the meet, which is scheduled to debut Feb. 11 at Staples Center.

If the meet is canceled, an announcement would be made today or Wednesday.

Sources said Coca-Cola, parent company of the Powerade brand, wants to pull out of its three-year agreement to back the meet and that officials of the Los Angeles Track and Field Organizing Committee--which is staging the event--are trying to persuade Coca-Cola otherwise.

A withdrawal by Coca-Cola would be a fatal blow because of the steep costs associated with staging the meet, such as paying a field of elite athletes that includes 11 Sydney Olympic medal winners. Luring a replacement sponsor this late is a remote possibility.

Rich Perelman, director of communications for the Powerade meet, was out of town Monday and did not return phone messages. Skip Stolley, chairman of the LATFOC, also was not available for comment. Sunday, Perelman said a cancellation is possible and acknowledged organizers had issues to resolve with the arena, athletes and sponsors.

Poor ticket sales and cool response from local corporations have weakened the meet’s financial foundation. Ticket sales have barely climbed above 2,000 and there has been little promotion of the event.

Channel 4 sportscaster Fred Roggin, whose production company is under contract to produce the local telecast and who is scheduled to lead the coverage of the meet, said he has not been told whether the meet will proceed as planned.

“I’m not privy to discussions about exactly what’s going on and not going on,” Roggin said. “I wish I had that information. . . . I’m kind of waiting for word.”

Staples Center spokesman Michael Roth said the meet has not been canceled.