On January 30, 1878 a man by the the name William A. C, a former rower and runner founded the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) in New York City. The AAU governed the sport until 1979, when the first Amateur Sports Act declared the the AAU could not hold international franchises for more than one sport. The Athletic Congress became fully operational in late 1979 with its first annual meeting, held in Las Vegas in conjunction with that year's AAU Convention, and a constitutional convention also held in Dallas/ Fort Worth in 1980. the first stand-alone annual meeting occurred in Atlanta, Georgia, in the late fall of 1980. In 1992, the name was changed to USA Track & Field (USATF) to increase recognition for the organization and the sport in the United States.

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About the editor:

My name is Nubia J. Jackson and im in the 11th grade class of 2011. I'm also a track runner and compete im many events such as the 100, 200, 400, and etc. I attend Mount Juliet High School and i'm on the step team. I have been running track since i was in the 7th grade, it is a very enjoyable sport. I have worked very hard to achieve my goals in track & field. I have attended many meets through out Tennessee, i have also qualified for the Jr. Olympics. Track has been a very important part of my life, i don't plain on going to college to run but this is a good experience for now. I have made a lot of new friends while running track many of them live across the US. Track is a good way to stay in shape and make new friends. Running track can be very tough sport but it takes a strong person to over come the trials and tribulations of begin a track runner.