US Olympic Trials – London 2012
Set Osho, Olympic trials. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Back in Eugene, Oregon for the US Olympic Trials. But what is different about it this time around?
Well there are things instilled this time around that were not around this time 4 years back.
The “Super Block” which is a 20 acre block of streets around the stadium which will be closed off for the Fan Festival. This is fan festival will be right behind the stadium and have two huge tents with a carnival like set up featuring a video board, music stage, booths with food, drinks and merchandise etc.
Hayward Field which is where the trials are held received a million dollar upgrade which includes new bleacher seating and new paint, and three in stadium video screens. The seats are also closer to the track then in previous years, creating an indoor track atmosphere. The track and stadium facilities all have been resurfaced and revamped. There is also a brand new practice facility for the trials.
There is a smartphone app that allows you to follow up to the hour stats and follow your favorite athletes. They are also getting the youth more involved this time around. There will be track town relays with High School athletes as well as younger athletes, these relays will be held on the off days of the trials.
Past athletes and gold medalists are going to be at the event to do meet and greets. Some of these athletes are: Billy Mills, Joan Samuelson, Gail Devers, Wyomia Tyus, Carl Lewis, Bob Beamon, Dick Fosbury, Madeline Manning, Mac Wilkins, Jackie Joyner- Kersee, Roger Kingdom, and Edwin Moses.
These trials are like the Super Bowl, World Series, Final Four, or Stanley Cup Finals for track. This is being set up to be like an event not just a normal track meet. For the people who go, it will be a cool atmosphere and awesome fan experience.
The trials start June 21st and run till July 1st so be sure to be on the look for coverage!
As always thank you for reading!
-World Of Athletes
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