Olympic Trials Day Four:


Since you are probably reading this after the paper comes out Tuesday morning, you know what a special night Monday was at the Trials. For the fourth day in a row we had 20,000 people in Hayward Field watching the events. By the roars when any of our local athletes were announced I would say that most of them were from Oregon. I'm glad that I was able to be at the finish line to watch three of our own make the team in the 800M mens event. The celebration continued over into the Festival were all three signed autographs and were interviewed on the main stage in front of about a 1000 excited fans. If you weren't there make sure you watch the TV broadcast on KMTR of the trials this weekend so that you can see this race it was special. There will be coverage on Saturday July 5th from 2:00-3:00 pm and Sunday July 6th from 7:00-9:00 pm.

A friend of mine asked me if I had and passes for the Trials so he could take his kids down to see what it was all about. I told him that you need a ticket to get into the stadium but everything else is FREE. The festival is great and there is lots of things for the kids to do. There are big screen TV's everywhere so you can watch what is going on inside the stadium. So if not having a ticket is keeping you away, don't let it.

The next two day's are off day's and I know I'm looking forward to a break as are the athletes and other volunteers. The two down days are set up for the kids to get onto the track. There will be all comers meets both Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Tuesday, July 1st ages 1-12,  6 years and under can run the 60m dash and 7-12 years can run the 100m, 400m, and 800m. The first races start at 4:45 pm so come early enough to get registered. On Wednesday, July 2nd ages 13 and up can compete in the 100m, 400m, and joggers mile. The first race starts at 4:30 pm. Also on Tuesday there will be a Youth Track & Field Clinic from 5:00 – 9:00pm. The clinic will feature Olympic Legends Carl Lewis, Bruce Jenner, and Rafer Johnson. The clinic will be held behind the south grandstands at Hayward Field, look for the green balloons.


Joseph Calbreath