EUGENE, Ore. — A growing sentiment in the athletics community is that the Olympic trials will be held somewhere besides the University of Oregon. Considering that the 2028 Games will be held in Los Angeles, holding the tests there, in California, could make a lot of sense.
Except the bar set at Hayward Field is proving too high to surpass elsewhere.
“We have been working very diligently to cultivate partnerships in markets across the country,” said Max Siegel, CEO of USA Track and Field during a press conference with Casey Wasserman, CEO of LA28.
“It is difficult to find a partner that is as collaborative, knowledgeable and has a fan base that supports the sport as Eugene. We all understand the logistical challenges. But if we look at the financial support that the federation has given, with trips for coaches and trips for athletes. We have tried to compensate for that. But we are very sensitive to that. “One of our priorities is to make sure we move the sport around the country.”
Athletes have expressed concern about always having to come to Eugene. It’s a remote location, making it difficult for fans to travel from across the country. The city is relatively small, so major events such as the Olympic trials increase hotel prices. And life off the track is not exactly wonderful.
But who can organize a major track and field competition better than TrackTown USA?
“Operational stress will probably take away from the athletes,” he said. “That’s not my decision, but I would be concerned: We can’t give them, for what is essentially a 10-day event here, the right environment, the right clarity and the right simplicity to compete and achieve their Olympic goal. equipment.”
The athletics portion of the Olympic Games will take place at the Colosseum. It requires placing a state-of-the-art temporary rink in the stadium, a task that Wasserman said “is the most expensive and complicated thing we have to build.” The fact that the Coliseum hosts USC football and other major events reduces the timeline to renovate the stadium to desired standards.
Wasserman suggested that the daunting task of organizing an Olympic Games worthy of Los Angeles is enough without adding track and field events. Adding to the level of difficulty is the celebration of the closing ceremonies in the Colosseum. Wasserman all but ruled out Los Angeles hosting the 2027 US championship.
USATF celebrates the Los Angeles Grand Prix at UCLA’s Drake Stadium. Most of the athletes will be staying at UCLA for the Olympics and Drake, Wasserman said, will get a track that exactly matches the one at the Coliseum so athletes can practice at Drake.
So can UCLA host the trials?
“Once again, he’s in charge of the trials,” Wasserman said, pointing to Siegel. “That becomes even more complex with security perimeters and preparation. … Don’t forget UCLA will be in school until mid-June.”
Siegel said the USATF would accept bids for the 2028 tests, as usual. He is looking for a host that will give them what they get in Eugene: top-notch facilities, a reliable paying audience and a community that understands the value of sports and provides a dignified atmosphere.
“So we’ve already started conversations,” Siegel said, “with the team both in Los Angeles and around the country about the importance of having an incredible Olympic trials before Los Angeles. So it’s not a foregone conclusion that it will happen again here in Eugene.”
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