USATF Podium Education Project, December 2009 in Orlando, FL

INDIANAPOLIS – Some of the world’s most respected coaches and scientists are among the scheduled presenters for USATF’s Podium Education Project, Dec. 10-13 and Dec. 17-19 in Orlando, Fla.

The featured speaker for both sessions will be German biomechanist Dr. Klaus Bartonietz. The author of countless articles on biomechanics and technique for throwing events, weightlifting and explosive exercises, Bartonietz has worked with some of the world’s top throwers, including two-time World Outdoor bronze medalist javelin thrower Boris Henry. He earned his PhD from the Moscow Central Institute of Physical Education and is a training advisor and coach in Germany.

Bartonietz is just one of many noted coaches currently slated to speak at the two-part event. They include:

Sprints: John Smith, Jon Drummond, Bev Kearney, Amy Deem, Dwayne Miller, Pat Connolly, Brooks Johnson

Jumps: Sue Humphrey, Larry Myricks, Dick Booth, Joe Walker Jeremy Fischer

Distance: Terrence Mahon, Joetta Clark, JJ Clark, JoeVigil, Lance Harter

Throws: Don Babbitt, Brett Halter, Vern Gambetta

Hurdles: Tonja Buford-Bailey, LaTanya Sheffield, Ron Sheffield, Kevin Reid

Scientists taking part include USATF’s Ralph Mann, the USOC’s Peter Vint,Randy Wilber, Sean McCann and Jon Carlock; Houston-based endocrinologist Dr. Jeff Brown, and former Olympic thrower Meg Stone.

USATF Chief of Sport Performance Benita Mosleywill give an overview of the organization’s 2012 High Performance Plan, targeting the path to success between 2010 and 2012.

About the Podium Education Project

The USA Track & Field Podium Education Project is an annual High Performance Coaches Symposium that brings elite coaches and sports scientists together to review, analyze, and offer some of the most cutting-edge methodology and coaching practices in the world. It will take place in 2009 December 10-13 in Orlando, Fla. An additional Podium Education Project session will be held in Orlando December 17-19.

The Podium Education Project (PEP), which is sponsored by the USATF High Performance Division, is designed to provide an exchange of knowledge between scientists, elite coaches of national team athletes, and podium level coaches who have achieved the status of developing a medal-winning athlete at the World Championship or Olympic level.

WHO CAN ATTEND: In addition to invited elite coaches, some elite athletes, and invited speakers, the sessions are open to anyone who has a current USATF membership and signs up online for a particular event group and a $25.00 registration fee. The registration process will be closed on December 4, 2009. Some event groups may have a limit on participants, so a first come, first serve registration process will be utilized. USATF encourages interested parties to sign up for this event ASAP.

WHERE: Hyatt-Orlando Airport Hotel, 9300 Airport Blvd., Orlando, Fl. 32827Phone: 407-859-9652, Special PEP Rate: $85.00 plus tax, free parking for symposium participants. Room rate for PEP expires on November 13, 2009

WHEN: To accommodate our coaching community, the 2009 PEP will be conducted on the preceding and following weekends around the USTFCCCA convention in Orlando, Dec 14-17.

PEP FIRST SESSION, DEC. 10-13, EVENTS COVERED: SPRINTS, HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL JUMPS

PEP SECOND SESSION: DEC.17- 19, EVENTS COVERED: HURDLES, THROWS, DISTANCE, COMBINED EVENTS

For more information on the 2009 USATF Podium Education Project, including information on how to register for both sessions, visit: http://www.usatf.org/groups/Coaches/education/specialPrograms/2009/PodiumProject/

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (please keep checking the USATF website for detailed event schedule and speakers)

Dec. 10 – Registration 7-9 p.m.

Dec. 11 – Registration 7 a.m.- 12 noon – Opening session, 8:30 a.m. – Last session: 6 p.m.