“The opportunity to work with some of the nation’s best athletes who will be representing our country in Berlin is something that I cherish,” said Smith Gilbert.

Chandra Cheeseborough of Tennessee State University will serve as the head coach for Team USA at the event while the other assistant coaches will be University of Illinois’ Tonya Buford-Bailey (sprints/hurdles), Wake Forest’s Annie Bennett (distance) and Virginia’s Carrie Lane (throwers).

The World Championships will be the first major international track and field event in the Berlin Olympic Stadium since the 1936 Olympic Games when Jesse Owens won four gold medals for Team USA.