In the last three years, the USA Track & Field could not pick up the speed when it comes to running on the financial track. USATF’s revenue declined from $37.94 million to $35.01 million in 2023; this was followed by a $5.6 million loss in the very next year, ultimately resulting in the downfall of net assets to a negative $4.49 million by the end of 2023. By 2025, the loss is yet to be recovered and while the non-profit organization has been trying to deal with already existing challenges, World Athletics comes with a hurdle.

It was announced in August 2023 that the World Athletics Road Running Championships would be coming to San Diego in 2025. Well, not anymore. World Athletics took to X on March 5, 2025, to announce that the Championships venue will be moved.

Attaching a link to their press release, the home of running, jumping, throwing & walking tweeted, “Following detailed discussions between World Athletics and the Local Organising Committee of the World Athletics Road Running Championships San Diego 25, it has been agreed that the #WorldRunningChamps will no longer be held in San Diego in September as planned.”

This could mean a big loss for USATF; these championships could have been a great way for them to recover the $5.6 million from the tickets, sponsors, and whatnot. The sorrow was evident in the San Diego 25’s CEO statement as well.

In the press release by WA, Tracy Sundlun said, “We really looked forward to welcoming the running world to San Diego this September but sadly it is not to be at this time.“Despite the sadness, he has dedicated his team to the championships further saying, “For now, all of us here on Team San Diego will do everything in our power to assist World Athletics in the seamless transition of the 2025 Championships to a new venue.” The new venue here is gonna haunt the USATF amidst the ongoing criticism from known personalities this year.

Athlete voices his concern over prize money for USATF athletes

The current executive director at Tracksmith and former middle-distance runner Russell Dinkins took over to X criticize the USA Track & Field for cutting the prize money. Drawing parallels from his 2017 4th position finish at the Indoor USAs, he said, “So in 2017 I got 4th at Indoor USAs so I was curious how the prize money then compared to now…..”

Surprise! Surprise! It’s the same. In the last 8 years when the governments have changed, the world has battled COVID-19, and come out of it, inflation is at an all-time high; the prize money for the athletes remains the same. Dinkins further said, “It’s the same! 8 years later it’s the, the same money! With inflation these athletes are receiving far less than we received in 2017 comparably. This is not okay.”

He attached pictures for proof where it could be seen that prize money, which was 1st – $6,000, 2nd – $4,000, 3rd – $2,500, 4th – $1,500, and 5th – $1,000 has not changed in the last 8 years. This makes you think of Sha’Carri Richardson’s words: “Do not donate. The athletes who need this money don’t see it,” and raises questions about USATF.

Of course, this is a tough time for USATF; being a non-governmental organization does make it difficult to collect money, but not even a $100 increase in the past 8 years in the prize money does have its questions. Nike is the only sponsor they have had since 1991, and they are named after the Greek goddess of victory. But it cannot bring them financial victory alone. Now the world championships are gone from their hand, and the USATF is required to run a little faster. That being said, what do you think can be the next destination for the world championships?