December 6 - USA Track and Field (USATF) has announced a $21 million (£13 million) budget for next year, a 40 per cent increase over 2009 thanks largely to a new marketing deal with Nike.

 

USATF chief executive officer Doug Logan unveiled the budget plan at the organisation’s annual meeting in Indianapolis.

 

Earlier this year, track officials signed a multi-year deal with Nike worth more than $10 million (£6 million) a year - a 30 per cent to 40 percent increase over the last deal.

 

Logan said: "Our business plan is designed to generate new and higher-value sponsorships.

 

"In doing so, management is making itself accountable to deliver on what we are promising.”

 

Logan said the goal is to increase the budget to $30 million (£18 million) by 2012 to help final preparations for the London Olympics.

 

After a disappointing 2008 Olympics, USATF also needs to improve on the field of play.

 

Logan claimed most of the goals associated with "Project 30" – the organisational commitment to win 30 medals at the London 2012 - are on track.

 

 

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