USA Track & Field and the U.S. Olympic Committee announced yesterday that the city of Eugene, Ore., would host the 2012 USA Olympic Trials plus the 2009 and 2011 USA Track & Field Championships. Eugene will host the 2008 Olympic Trials next June at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field next June 27 through July 6.
"The commitment of Eugene, its local organizers and the entire community to track and field is unprecedented," said USATF CEO, Craig Masback in a media release. "Ticket packages for the 2008 Trials sold out months ago, and already you can feel a buzz in the air here about the event, from the banners at the airport to the construction going on at Hayward Field. There is no place quite like Track Town, USA, and we look forward to returning here as we move through the next Olympic Games cycle."
Eugene, which also hosted the 1972, '76 and '80 Trials, has long been dubbed "Track Town, USA" for its rich track and field history and the community's appreciation of the sport. The Nike Prefontaine Classic regularly draws standing-room-only crowds, while athletes consistently rate Hayward Field as having one of the most compelling atmospheres of any stadium in the world. The University of Oregon has one of the nation's premiere track and field and cross country programs (their men's team just won the NCAA D-I cross country title).
"We like to think that Eugene is the spiritual home for track and field in the United States, and we wanted to make it the physical home, as well," said Vin Lananna, associate athletic directorat the University of Oregon, which also will host the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships. "Bringing the USA Championships and U.S. Olympic Team Trials back to Hayward Field for multiple years was a huge priority for us. We are thrilled with the news announced today."
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