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EUGENE, Ore. December 7, 2006 --- In 2008 the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field will return to the University of Oregon’s legendary Hayward Field in Eugene at the University of Oregon, and the Eugene Organizing Committee on Thursday announced that Oregon based NIKE Inc., has signed on as a key sponsor.
The 2008 Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field will be held June 27-July 6, 2008, and is the Team USA selection event for the 2008 Olympic Games (http://www.2008olympicgames/) in Beijing.
“We are very pleased that NIKE is the organizing committee’s first major sponsor for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials,” said Vin Lananna, co-chairman of the Eugene Local Organizing Committee and University of Oregon associate athletic director/director of track and field. “With the support of NIKE and several other soon-to-be-announced sponsors, the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials promise to be exciting for competitors and fans alike.”
NIKE Inc., which will support all aspects of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field, has long-standing and deep-rooted connections not just with Track and Field, but with the University of Oregon and Hayward Field itself.
Hayward Field is one of the most magical venues for track and field in the world and offers up the drama and emotion that only one of the world’s most compelling stadiums can provide. It was also the very track where the relationship between Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, the co-founders of NIKE Inc., were forged. Phil Knight was a middle distance runner who was coached by, and ran for, Bill Bowerman and the University of Oregon. It was on the basis of this relationship that Knight and Bowerman shook hands and set about building a business dedicated to delivering product to help runners compete. It was also here that the legendary Steve Prefontaine turned the world of track and field upside down with his aggressive, all-or nothing approach and inspired generations of runners to come.
“Eugene provides NIKE with a great opportunity to continue supporting track and field at all levels in the US. It’s an extra special chance for us to be involved with NIKE’s birthplace, Eugene, and support them in hosting such a prestigious event in the build up to the Olympics,” said Joaquin Hidalgo, NIKE’s VP of Global Marketing.
The largest national championship track meet in the world, the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field hosts more than 1,000 athletes as they compete for the right to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games. More than 170,000 fans attended each of the last two Olympic Trials in Sacramento. At each edition of the meet, more than 1,000 members of the media from around the world covered the event while thousands of volunteers and officials provided support. For more information about the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field, go to www.eugene08.com.
About NIKE, Inc.
NIKE Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; NIKE Bauer Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment, Cole Haan, a leading designer and marketer of luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Exeter Brands Groups LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel. Nike Inc. is a United States Olympic Committee Sponsor.
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