The Eugene Health & Performance Foundation, incorporated in March 2001 as a 501c3 non-profit foundation, is located in Eugene, Oregon.
GOALS:
1 Provide Olympic and World Championship, as well as educational, opportunities to post high school distance runners.
2 Provide Olympic and World Championship opportunities to a few selected post collegiate distance runners.
3 Provide 'young athlete' developmental material to coaches and parents, and exercise and diet information to middle and high school students.
FOUNDATION
Eugene
Health & Performance Foundation
IISHP
1243 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-1234
(541) 346-1425
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In the history of the Olympics and World Championships US women distance runners (800 thru Marathon) have won only 11 of the 249 medals available.
Our ability to compete with the world declined further at the 2003 & 2005 World Championships and 2004 Olympics. The US was able to qualify for just 38 of the 50 spots reserved for US women distance runners in those three events. Only one US runner won a medal, Deena Kastor. Only four others have made a final. A finalist is someone in the top 8.
For a country that is 3rd in population and 1st in GNP it is a poor record.
There are no physiological or psychological reasons US women can't compete at the world level. However, they must have the opportunity to prepare properly for entrance into Olympic and World Championship competition by their early 20's.
23 - the average age future medalists from other nations make their first Olympic or World Championship team.
26 - the average age women from other nations win their first medal.
29 - the average age US women make their first Olympic or World
Championship team.
Why is there a 6-year difference between the first appearance of other women and US women?
Other women begin development for Olympic and World Championship competitions by age 18. US women focus on collegiate competition. The US system uses women to score points for the college or high school. It is hard to develop into world class athletes in that environment. After college, 4
to 5 years are usually required to rebuild their systems and to change their focus.
The solution is to have US women distance runners focus on international competition earlier and to develop patiently. The Eugene Health &
Performance Foundation is committed to this solution.
We know that a medal is not the be all and end all. But we also know that if a person has the potential to compete for a medal, that person should be afforded the opportunity.
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The first four
Foundation athletes.
(Left to right)
Kelsey Greydanus
Heather Spinney
Emily McMahon
Brianna Anderson-Gregg
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