The World Comes to Oregon Friday as World Athletics Championships Oregon22 Begin — Sport Oregon Voices

Photo: WCH Oregon22

Sport Oregon Voices: Eugene/Springfield set to host premier world track and field event for the first time in the United States, July 15-24

It’s been years in the making, but the World Athletics Championships (WCH) Oregon22 finally have arrived, as the world converges on Eugene/Springfield and Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon beginning Friday.

In terms of its overall audience and scope, the World Athletics Championships – simply put – represent the largest sporting event the state of Oregon has hosted. Not only is this the first time the state has hosted the event – which takes place July 15-24 – but it’s the first time it has taken place in the United States.

In economic terms, the event is estimated to produce a staggering $50 million-plus boost to the area in the form of direct spending by visitors associated with the event. From a reach standpoint, the expected viewership figures are impressive, to say the least, generating cumulative numbers roughly 10 times higher than the Super Bowl.

“When we talk about the impact of this event to the state of Oregon, I think the biggest impact that the state will see comes from the global media attention attached to it,” said Jessica Gabriel, the communications director for WCH Oregon22. “We’re talking about a global audience of one billion cumulatively and 6,500 hours of television coverage.”

As the event begins Friday, the state is welcoming nearly 2,000 athletes from roughly 200 countries. As Gabriel points out, thousands of media members will be on-site not only to cover the competition, but to share the many stories of the athletes and their experiences in Oregon to a global audience.

“It’s a pretty incredible opportunity for us to be able to get people excited about the sport of track and field, which is obviously a very important sport to our state, and it’s an opportunity for the state of Oregon in general,” Gabriel said.

WCH Oregon22, as the local organizing committee, has been hard at work preparing for the event since the bid was awarded in 2015. But the preparation work stretches far and wide, as organizations, agencies, businesses and community groups from across the state have joined forces to make sure the many thousands of visitors have an exceptional experience during their stay.

“Working together to bring sports and events to our community helps us all recognize Oregon’s strengths and reminds us of what makes us truly special and unique,” said Jim Etzel, CEO of Sport Oregon.

The state’s tourism community has embraced the many opportunities that the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 present. Travel Lane County – based in Eugene – for one has been proactive and enterprising in its approach to ensuring the community is ready and able to accommodate everyone. At last count, the event had drawn ticket purchasers from all 50 states and nearly 40 different countries.

Considering the area’s experience with hosting large-scale events – especially of the track and field variety – on a regular basis, organizations like Travel Lane County have a great deal of experience in preparing for a large influx of event-goers. But considering that it is the first time this marquee sporting event has been held in the United States, and the fact that so many first-time visitors to the state are expected, officials are quick to recognize the significance.

“It’s a unique experience and opportunity for us,” said Andy Vobora, the vice president of stakeholder relations for Travel Lane County. “This is going to put Oregon on the map for a lot of people in the world who may not have even heard of the state.”

On its website, Travel Lane County has an entire section dedicated to WCH Oregon22. There, visitors will find a host of supporting information, including the many destination opportunities available during their stay, transportation options, events and tours, community activations and, importantly, a dining guide that includes specific information on restaurant options open late. With some events running into the evening, and factoring in that many visitors are accustomed to eating later in the day, this resource offers a quick and comprehensive look at the dining options available after 9 p.m.

As an additional appeal for visitors, the Eugene/Springfield area is geographically situated to afford relatively short day trips to the Portland metro area, the Oregon Coast, and down the surrounding valley and down to Southern Oregon during down times in event action. Officials also note that lodging stays have extended well beyond Eugene/Springfield into these areas due to compression.

“With the event schedule set up the way it is, and with Eugene’s central location in the state, it really provides those visitors coming into the area the opportunity to get out and explore the seven regions of the state,” said J.B. Carney, Travel Lane County’s senior director for sports.

Hayward Field officially welcomes the world when the track and field activities begin Friday morning with the men’s hammer throw qualifications. The first day includes a packed schedule, including a festive Opening Night session. For the U.S. athletes, it represents their first chance to take place in this competition on home soil.

Among the special activities over the 10 days, the schedule of events on Monday, July 18, welcomes fans to celebrate women in track and field on “Women in the Spotlight” day, which includes the finals of the women’s triple jump, heptathlon and 1500 meters.

Information for all 16 ticketed sessions and event schedules are available on the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 website.

Eugene/Springfield is an area of the state long known for its fervent support of track and field. It should be no surprise then that there is an extensive network in place within the community that collaborates to support the sport and these marquee events. That’s certainly been the case for the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, notes Gabriel, making preparations for the event efficient and as seamless as possible as the area welcomes the world. It also sets the stage for the whole community and state to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

“Our role is to deliver these championships and to make sure we’re providing that platform for other entities to capitalize on this moment and tell the story of this place, which is really quite special,” Gabriel said.

“Across the board, our local organizing committee feels very prepared and ready, and honestly just extremely excited to welcome all the participants and all the world to our home, where we live.”

How To Watch
Full coverage of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 will be presented across NBCUniversal’s television networks and digital platforms. For a full rundown of how to watch, click here.

For More Information On The World Athletics Championships Oregon22
For updated information on all things World Athletics Championships Oregon22, click here.

For More Information On Travel Lane County
To learn more about transportation options, activations and community events related to the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, click here.