Orlando to host USATF Podium Education Project

INDIANAPOLIS - The USA Track & Field Podium Education Project, which 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 will take place 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 participantsRoom 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/specialProgram...

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (please keep checking the 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.

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

Dec. 13 - Opening session 9 a.m. - Last session 4 p.m.

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Dec. 17 - Registration 12 noon - 6 p.m. - Opening session- 4 p.m. - Last session- 6 p.m.

Dec. 18 - Registration- 8 a.m.-12 noon - Opening session- 8:30 a.m. - Last session- 6 p.m.

Dec. 19 - Opening session- 8:30 a.m. - Last session - 4:00 p.m.

For more information on USA Track & Field, visit: www.usatf.org.