Street meets for future

RALEIGH (USA): Street meets, competitions in city centers and nearby areas emphasizing sprints and field events, are growing in popularity in the United States and Europe. Already a common practice at some DL meets, street meets will be introduced to IAAF events where and when there is the right venue, the IAAF said in a statement to Reuters. “Extensive consultation has indicated a strong appetite for an urban athletics circuit or an increase in urban athletics competitions,” the IAAF statement said. That increase is already underway in the United States with the American Track League (ATL, founder Paul Doyle) expanding its offerings of high entertainment, up-close competitions to street meets next year in Atlanta (July 2-3), Greenville, South Carolina (July 6), Charlotte, North Carolina (July 13) and Omaha, Nebraska (Aug 1). The popular adidas Boost Boston Games are planned for June 16.