Vin Lananna's rapid rise to the pinnacle of U.S. track and field has been stalled by a divisive fight on the sport's national governing board over his business interests.
Less than a year after being elected president of USA Track & Field, Lananna was quietly stripped of some of his authority. The board specifically cited his leadership of several companies and nonprofits – including Eugene-based TrackTown USA -- that routinely bid on contracts to host and organize track meets.
The board passed a two-page resolution in October that, among other things, forces the former University of Oregon track and field coach to recuse himself from any matter that involves his companies or their competitors.