Masters javelin great Bradstock lends a hand to USATF Foundation

M45 javelin stud Roald Bradstock, aka “The Olympic Picasso,” has contributed one of his signature artworks to the USATF Foundation as a fundraiser. The piece below is up for auction on eBay, and it has signatures. Autographs include track legends Joan Benoit Samuelson, Lynn Jennings, Billy Mills, Bill Rodgers, Jim Ryun, Alberto Salazar, Bob Schul, Steve Scott, Frank Shorter, Mary Slaney, Craig Virgin and Dave Wottle. Twenty-five prints also will be sold with signatures for $2,500 each. Roald also recently was honored by the United States Sports Academy and American Sport Art Museum and Archives in Alabama, which touts itself as “the world’s leading authority on Sport Art and Sports Artists.” They included a chapter on him in an online book. (He was their 2003 Sport Artist of the Year.) Roald’s work will help pay for Team USA at the London Olympics. Someday he should do some work to finance Team USA at masters worlds.

Roald's Olympians piece will go to the highest bidder. Click for larger image.

The official news release from Indy:

INDIANAPOLIS – The USA Track & Field Foundation will auction a custom piece of artwork entitled, “Running Legends: A Signature Piece,” honoring many of the all-time greatest living distance running legends with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the Foundation and its grant programs, USATF Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld announced Monday. “To be able to honor so many greats while generating funds for those training for the next Games is really special. A sincere thank you goes out to all of the legends that agreed to participate.”

The artwork will incorporate images and original signatures from Joan Benoit Samuelson, Lynn Jennings, Billy Mills, Bill Rodgers, Jim Ryun, Alberto Salazar, Bob Schul, Steve Scott, Frank Shorter, Mary Slaney, Craig Virgin and Dave Wottle. This one-of-a-kind piece will be created by renowned artist and Olympian Roald Bradstock.

Interested parties may bid on www.ebay.com beginning Friday, June 18 at 1:30 p.m. ET and ending on Sunday, June 27 at 1:30 p.m. ET, the last day of the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. Please insert item number “130397667863” into the search box to access the auction web page.

The Foundation will also produce 25 limited edition prints with original legends’ signatures for $2,500 per print. Those interested in purchasing one of the prints may contact the USATF Foundation office directly at tom.jackovic@usatf.org or 412-398-2484.

The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track & field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, distance training centers and anti-doping education. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors and from generous fans of track & field.

For more information or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit