Eugene Prepares to Host U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials and First U.S. Appearance of World Junior Championships

Eugene, Ore. - As preparations are under way to host the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field, Eugene continues to expand its impressive roster when it comes to hosting sporting events of the highest caliber.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) recently awarded the 2014 World Junior Championships to Eugene at its IAAF Council meeting in Monaco in November. Set for Historic Hayward Field, July 22 - 27, 2014, this will be the first time the championships will be held in the U.S.

Meanwhile, nearly 20,000 athletes, coaches, media and fans will enter the gates of the University of Oregon's Historic Hayward Field daily, from June 21 - July 1, 2012, to witness the second consecutive appearance of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field in Eugene. The Trials will decide which top athletes will join Team USA for the Olympic Summer Games in London July 26 - August 13, 2012.

"We're extremely proud and honored to be the host city of sporting events of this magnitude," said Kari Westlund, a member of the Local Organizing Committee for TrackTown12 and President & CEO of Travel Lane County representing the Eugene, Cascades and Coast region. "We're looking forward to welcoming all participants and spectators as we work with community partners to provide the best Track Town experience possible, while building upon an unprecedented history in successfully hosting and championing this sport."

Aptly named Track Town, USA, Eugene has consistently hosted some of the biggest track meets in the world and has secured a number of future meets including:

• U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field - 1972, 1976, 1980, 2008, 2012
• USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships - 2009 and 2011
• Prefontaine Classic (annual international meet) - From 1975 to 2011
• Pac-12 Track & Field Championships - Secured for 2012 inaugural
• Pac-10 Track & Field Championships - 2006, 2009
• NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships - 2010, secured for 2013 and 2014
• NCAA Track & Field Western Regionals - 2009 and 2011
• World Junior Track & Field Championships - Secured for 2014

The competition schedule for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field has recently been released, which includes a new addition to showcase an event sometimes in the shadow of modern Olympic events. For the first time, the men's and women's hammer throw competition will be held on June 21 at the Nike Campus in Beaverton, just outside Portland. The first full day of action will kick off at Hayward Field on June 22 with the men's decathlon.

Surrounding the competition, a 20-acre Track Town Plaza will celebrate the Trials, and everything track and field, with live simulcast viewing of the competition on jumbo video screens, musical entertainment, athlete interviews and autograph opportunities, food and beverage service, and a host of vendors and interactive exhibits.

All session tickets are currently on sale and going quickly. The Olympic Trials competition and TrackTown12 Festival, surrounding Hayward Field, is expected to generate nearly $31 million in visitor spending over the 10-day event.

For more information about the Olympic Team Trials, visit www.TrackTown12.com.  For more information about the region, visit www.EugeneCascadesCoast.org. 

Based in Eugene, Oregon, Travel Lane County markets and promotes the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region as a destination for travel, conventions, meetings and events.