By Craig MasbackBy Craig A. Masback

Published: Sunday, November 11, 2007

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A mere eight months from now the world will be watching as the U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Track & Field take place in Eugene. All signs point to it being the best Olympic Trials ever, and the anticipation is already building among athletes, coaches and fans. A successful Olympic Trials will reinforce Eugene’s status as “Track Town, USA” and open up a world of opportunities.

Since USA Track & Field awarded the event to the Oregon Track Club in the fall of 2005, we’ve worked closely with the Eugene 08 Organizing Committee to help make its proposal come to life. I have been enormously impressed by the commitment to the event by government at all levels, major national corporations and the media. The pieces are falling into place to meet the Eugene 08 objective of making this Olympic Trials the most athlete-friendly and fan-friendly in history.

Central to the success of the event has been renovating and upgrading Hayward Field. If you haven’t been by to see the changes, make a special trip — it’s spectacular!

Already considered to be sacred ground for the sport, Hayward has been updated to meet every international standard for competitive excellence while maintaining its unique character. I know from personal experience as an athlete, broadcaster and fan that there is no better place to watch a track meet and experience the excitement of the world’s best sport.