INDIANAPOLIS, IN - USA Track & Field has awarded its 2006 and 2007 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships to Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Track & Field (USATF) announced on Tuesday. The events will be hosted by the Indiana Sports Corporation and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). The USA Junior Championships will be held concurrently each year.

The announcement was made by USATF CEO Craig Masback at the annual meeting of Indiana Sports Corporation.

The 2006 and 2007 USA Outdoor and Junior Championships will take place at the Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium on the campus of IUPUI in downtown Indianapolis. The stadium has been the site for past major events such as the 1988 Olympic Trials, the 1987 Pan American Games and previous USA Championships and NCAA Track & Field Championships.

The 2006 Championships are scheduled for June 22-25, and will serve as the selection event for the IAAF World Cup of Athletics in Los Angeles later that summer.

The 2007 Championships are slated for June 21-24 and will be the selection event for that summer's IAAF World Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Osaka, Japan. The events will bring in more than 1,600 athletes to Indianapolis.

"All of us at USA Track & Field look forward to working with the Indiana Sports Corporation and IUPUI in hosting what promises to be two great events in Indianapolis," said USATF CEO Craig Masback. "The Michael A. Carroll Stadium is one of the finest track and field facilities in the world, and Indianapolis has a well-earned reputation for hosting great sporting events. I'm confident that the 2006 and 2007 USA Outdoor Championships will be among the finest ever."

"On behalf of Indiana Sports Corporation, we are grateful to USA Track & Field for its confidence in us and we look forward to doing everything we can to stage outstanding national championships that provide the best possible experience for athletes, coaches, officials and spectators," said Indiana Sports Corporation Chairman Earl Goode. "Because Indianapolis is home to USATF's national headquarters, we can use that to our collective advantage in making these flawless and successful events. We would also like to recognize the leadership of IUPUI under Chancellor Charles Bantz and Indiana USA Track & Field Chairman Jim Teegardin for their assistance in putting forth this successful bid."

The Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium has been the site of numerous major track and field events including the 1982 National Sports Festival, the1982 USA vs. Russia Dual Meet, the 1985-1986 NCAA Division I Championships, the 1987 Pan American Games, the 1988 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, the 1983 and 1997 USA Outdoor Championships, and the 2001 USATF National Club Track & Field Championships.

Many memorable performances have taken place at the Michael A. Carroll Stadium, but the facility is most remembered as the site of Florence Griffith Joyner's remarkable women's 100m world record of 10.49 seconds at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials. FloJo followed her 100m performance with a blistering 21.77 U.S. record in the semifinals of the 200 meters, which served as a prelude to her setting the world record twice at the Olympic Games in Seoul of 21.56, and then 21.34.

The great Carl Lewis also made headlines at the 1988 Olympic Trials in winning one of the greatest men's long jump duels in history against fellow National Track & Field Hall of Famer Larry Myricks. Lewis cleared 28 feet four times and Myricks did it on three occasions during the tense battle that was made even more dramatic as a thunderstorm raged during the competition. Lewis eventually won the event with his leap of 8.76 meters/28 feet, 9 inches. Myricks was the runner-up with a best effort of 8.74m/28-8.25.

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