‘We’re In A Great Position’: Local Organizers Make Final Preparations For Track And Field Olympic Trials In Eugene

Photo courtesy of University of Oregon Hayward Field website.

Sport Oregon Voices:

New developments pave way for spectators to attend Trials at reimagined and modernized Hayward Field; NBC to present most comprehensive programming in event’s history

While it’s a year later than originally planned, the 2020 Olympic Trials for track and field will take place this month in Eugene/Springfield. For event organizers like TrackTown USA, the local organizing committee for the Trials, it’s a luxury of sorts to have an additional year to plan, even when factoring in the many moving parts presented by the pandemic.

But their patience appears to be paying off, and event organizers are even more bullish on this year’s Trials now, bolstered by some encouraging developments in recent days that will allow for a more robust spectator presence during the event, which will be held from June 18-27. TrackTown USA announced over the weekend that, thanks to updated state health regulations, spectators indeed will be able to watch the event in person, with designated sections for both vaccinated and unvaccinated fans at Hayward Field, the central hub for the Trials.

Certainly the ebbs and flows of the event have kept organizers on their toes. But considering this recent dose of momentum, there’s increased excitement surrounding the return of a such a large and impactful sporting event such as this to the state.

TrackTown USA CEO Michael Reilly, for one, is encouraged by a number of factors that will make this year’s Trials so appealing. 

“We’re in a great position, for a couple of reasons,” Reilly said. “One, this will obviously be the first time the Olympic Trials have been held inside a reimagined Hayward Field. That venue is going to lend a whole new sense of Hayward magic to the event, unlike anything that we’ve seen in the past. The venue is just absolutely spectacular.”

For decades, Hayward Field has been a bucket-list highlight for both athletes and track and field enthusiasts alike. After an extensive renovation project that began in 2018, the iconic grounds – now featuring a state-of-the-art, modernized facility with a host of new amenities that further enhances Eugene’s reputation as the preeminent destination for the sport in the United States – just began hosting events again in recent weeks, and is primed to host an exceptionally talented field of athletes for this year’s Trials.

“I think we’re well positioned, too, because the athletic performances we have seen from America’s track and field athletes this spring have been off the charts,” Reilly added. “So, the actual competition itself is going to be at the highest level and is going to be as competitive as it’s ever been.”

The overall reach of this year’s Olympic Trials has never been greater, too, thanks in large part to record coverage planned by NBC. For those who are not able to attend the Trials in-person, the network is providing more comprehensive coverage of the event this year than ever before, in its lead-up to its coverage of the Tokyo Olympics. NBC and NBCSN will provide more than 20 hours of track and field qualifying, semifinals and finals coverage over eight nights, including six in primetime on NBC. NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app will offer exclusive streaming coverage of select field events, including long jump, pole vault, shot put, hammer, javelin, discus, 20 kilometer race walk, decathlon and heptathlon.

And despite the expected capacity limitations for credentialed members of the media in attendance at Hayward Field for COVID-19-related reasons, Reilly believes the efficiencies and conveniences brought to the forefront by the pandemic – such as remote access to athletes through pre- and post-event media conferences – will net even greater participation and coverage of the Trials from a mainstream media standpoint.

“More of this event is going to be shown to more people for more hours than we’ve ever had before,” said Reilly. “And that’s just positive for our community, positive for the state of Oregon, and certainly positive for the sport of track and field.”

The final capacity number allowed for the Trials at Hayward Field, which holds approximately 12,700 fans, has yet to be determined. Ever-adjusting to current health guidelines, TrackTown USA is still finalizing its ticketing and capacity plans after the recent wave of good news from the Oregon Health Authority. It has, however, implemented a structured allotment plan that allows those who pre-purchased tickets to keep their tickets or receive a refund. After existing customers and athlete families have been accommodated, any remaining ticket inventory will be sold to the public. For convenience and safety, event organizers are offering exclusively mobile tickets for the event.  

Regardless of the numbers of fans able to attend, Reilly says that more than 2,200 athletes, coaches and support staff are expected this year.

“That ecosystem supporting the event is really robust, and we’re thrilled that the number of athletes is not going down; the number of coaches coming, the number of athletes’ family members, probably none of those elements are going to decrease,” Reilly said.

It’s obviously no small feat putting on an event this magnitude, and Reilly says his group relies heavily on its many partners and the community at large to seamlessly execute the Olympic Trials.

“One of the real advantages that I think we have in the state of Oregon, and especially in the Eugene-Springfield community, is that when we host a multi-day championship event like the Olympic Trials, it really does take the entire community to successfully put on the event,” he said. “We rely heavily on partners at the University of Oregon, we rely heavily on partners at the city of Springfield, the city of Eugene, and Lane County.”

Reilly also credits the efforts of the many hospitality and sports organizations – including Travel Lane County and Sport Oregon – for their impact on attracting and executing the event and its many benefits to the community. A host of local businesses contribute to the goods and services offered at the Trials, with resulting financial benefits to local manufactures, hotels, retailers, grocery stores and restaurants, among others. 

The Trials also present the opportunity for programs that allow community members the opportunity to be a part of the event. While restrictions related to the pandemic have resulted in some of the planned activities TrackTown USA was looking forward to partnering on to be placed in a holding pattern, the group is joining with TrackGirlz and Willamalane on a Virtual Speed Series & Street Race for middle school and high school girls to “come together through sisterhood, empowerment and track and field.” The program offers participants the chance to race on the official Trials race walk course through the streets of Springfield, participating in either 100-meter or 200-meter events.

Looking forward, Reilly says this year’s Trials also serves as a unique preview to not only the upcoming Olympics, but provides area track and field enthusiasts to opportunity to get familiar with the top athletes that will likely reappear during next year’s World Athletics Championships Oregon22, which also will be held in Eugene.

“One year later, Team USA is coming back to Hayward Field as part of the World Championships in July of 2022,” he said. “This is really a chance to see those stars, not only for the Olympic Games, but certainly those that will be here in town next summer. So it really is the first step in that 14-month journey here in the state of Oregon for great track and field competition.” 

Speaking of journeys … it may be a year later than expected, but this year’s Olympic Trials for track and field in Eugene and Springfield are shaping up to deliver in a big way and ring true to an old, familiar saying – good things come to those who wait.   

Further resources

For a complete schedule of events for the Olympic Trials in Eugene and for ticketing updates and availability, fans can check for regular updates on TrackTown20.com.

For a complete NBC television and streaming schedule for the Olympic Trials – including scheduling for swimming, gymnastics and diving, in addition to the track and field competition – click here.  

For more information or to register for the TrackGirlz event in Springfield, click here.