Sanya Richards-Ross, Liz Dolan join the board of directors for WCH Oregon22

The World Athletics Championships Oregon22 has appointed four-time Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross and sports industry leader and marketing expert Liz Dolan to its board of directors. The event, taking place July 15–24, 2022, will host 2,000 athletes from more than 200 countries.

"On International Women’s Day, we are excited to take this opportunity to celebrate women like Sanya and Liz who have advanced this incredible sport," said Renee Chube Washington, Chief Operating Officer at USATF and WCH Oregon22 Board Member. "We want to create the best Track and Field experience possible for athletes and fans, and we know Sanya and Liz will help us achieve that".

Richards-Ross is a seven-time World Champion, was the World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year in 2006 and 2009, and held the fastest 400m time in North America for 10 years. Off the track, Richards-Ross has been a commentator for the Olympics, started two successful businesses, and created a community dedicated to supporting moms.

"I’m delighted to be on the Oregon22 Board," said Richards-Ross. "I know how exciting it is for every athlete that gets the opportunity to compete at the World Championships; especially after having to wait due to the coronavirus, I want to be sure that we present the best possible event for them."

Dolan is recognized as one of the world’s leading marketers, having served as Chief Marketing Officer at NIKE, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, National Geographic Channel and Fox Sports worldwide. She also provided marketing leadership for the historic 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States, a transformative event in global sports. Dolan is a founding member of Oregon Sports Angels, a diverse and inclusive team of sports industry/business professionals and investors.

"I can’t wait to help welcome the world to Oregon and to the magic of Hayward Field," said Dolan. "I’m especially excited to focus on the digital and social innovation that will bring the thrill of track and field and the stories of these fantastic athletes to young people across the USA and globally."

World Athletics, the international governing body for the sport of athletics, has launched the campaign #WeGrowAthletics to further gender equality in track and field. The three core pillars of the campaign will ensure women have a platform to speak without threat of abuse, break gender-biased traditions, and empower women to pursue leadership positions.

World Athletics has called on its partners to commit to further advance the role of girls and women in athletics. To grow the number of women in leadership, WCH Oregon22 pledges to have a gender-balanced board of directors. This pledge is the first one made by WCH Oregon22. Read more about the pledges here.

"We are thrilled to welcome two more female board members today," said Sarah Massey, Chief Executive Officer of Oregon22, LLC. "It demonstrates our commitment to support the growth of the number of women in leadership positions within the sport. Their expertise will help guide our efforts to deliver the Best of all Worlds."

WCH Oregon22 is working to create an inclusive world-class event that celebrates diversity, athletic achievements, and human potential within the track and field community.

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