Judging by comments on the internet, it seems like most people are dissatisfied with the location of US Nationals and the Olympic Trials being constantly in Eugene Oregon. “Most people” includes fans, athletes and coaches. This is not a negative about the people of Eugene, who have learned to put on a first class meet. But more about the location of Eugene itself. It’s a small town with limited access and amenities. No international airport access. Limited number of hotel rooms. Limited number of eateries, etc. All of which makes it very expensive for athletes, coaches, and fans that want/need to attend the meet. These are the complaints being aired quite frequently these days as we approach this year’s national championships. With many coming out and flat out saying that they cannot afford to take the trip due to the cost being high because of the limited access to Eugene. Trying to fly close. The cost of two more hours to drive from Portland to Eugene. High hotel costs associated with limited rooms. Having to stay in other locations away from Eugene, then transporting into Eugene. Then there are the high pollen levels that negatively affect many athletes and their attempts at competing. As well as weather that is constantly changing and even wet and cold in the middle of summer. All these things have been brought up in in conversations all over the internet as people have been expressing their displeasure with the current arrangement.

The question is, what can be done to change venues? That question was posed to USATF by a former elite athlete, who was basically told that it was out of their hands, because Eugene continues to bid, and win. A nice answer to appease and appear to care. In reality however, that’s not totally the truth. USATF is in charge of the bid process and therefore has the ability to change that process. IF they truly cared about the needs of the athletes, coaches and fans, they would amend the bid requirements. Starting with requiring that bids are generated from cities/communities with a minimum population of say 250,000. There should also be minimum hotel room requirements. As well as international airport accessibility within one hour of said location. Cities fitting this description should also have the diversity of eateries/restaurants capable of providing adequate choices. As well as some variety of entertainment.

One of USATF’s ongoing “complaints” regarding the process, has been the lack of applicants wanting to host the meet. The elephant in the room however, has been the spectre of Nike out bidding any bids placed, which leads to what many consider to be a waste of time to participate in the process. The thought being that Eugene is going to get it anyway! Therefore, why bother. Because let’s be honest. Eugene is not funding these meets. Nike is. With Eugene essentially out of the running, I almost guarantee that you would see an increase in bids from other locations. Places like MtSAC, Austin Texas, Sacramento California, and Des Moines Iowa are almost guaranteed to place bids. All of which are more than capable of hosting the meet – because they have done so in the past. It will also open up the possibility of other locations with new facilities to feel emboldened enough to potentially throw their hats into the ring.

I am also going to suggest that USATF should work with shoe companies to have them potentially “adopt” locations to co-host our championship meets. Nike in conjunction with Eugene has been a great partnership. Eugene supplying the “infrastructure” – venue, manpower, etc. Nike covering finances. The community benefiting through revenue from ancillary services. The major shoe companies have been hosting end of season high school meets for years now. Such as New Balance Nationals, Adidas Nationals, etc. I can see the same energy  and  resources being channeled into our elite National championships, and Olympic Trials. For example, by pairing Sacramento with New Balance or MtSAC with Adidas to create the US Nationals in Sacramento, brought to you by New Balance. Or something similar. I believe there are a lot of great marketing opportunities out there for the retailers, cities, and track and field itself if we open things up for the hosting of these Championships.

Having our biggest meet in large metro areas would be good for the sport. Allowing fans throughout the country to have access to the talented athletes that we have right here in the US. Helping to build/expand the current base of fans among a much larger swatch of the population. Getting the stars of our sport the same type of exposure that they experience when they go to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean to compete. It’s a travesty that many of our brightest stars are relatively unknown here at home. Yet household names abroad. It hurts their earning potential as well as the fundraising ability of USATF. Broader accessibility to our top athletes would benefit all concerned! I would hope that USATF leadership can see this and embrace the possibilities! While I understand their current relationship with Nike – easily USATF’s most consistent sponsor at present. The sport is, or should be, larger than Nike. And it’s time to build the sport beyond just Nike and Eugene. Beyond the shrine to the legend of Steve Prefontaine.

To that end, please do not weep for Eugene. They still have a plethora of meets taking place at their facility. Starting with the Prefontaine Classic – a Diamond League event. They also host the Oregon Relays, Nike High School Nationals, and the Oregon High School State Track and Field Championships. AND they’re a frequent host of the NCAA Championships! They will continue to be busy and have several levels of the sport represented at their facility. Easily still the largest number of elite level meets at a single location in the country. As well as the community having more than adequate access to high level track and field. As opposed to Eugene “losing” out, the rest of the country would be “gaining” access. This is good for the sport.

Besides the largest meet in the United States needs a more appropriate stage. Yes, the stadium in Eugene is beautiful. But there is more to a competition than the stadium/facilities. As anyone that has planned a trip or vacation is aware. There is everything that leads to standing on the starting line. Things that are actually as important, if not more so, to aiding in being relaxed and ready once standing on the starting line. No other nation with a major track program hosts it’s championship in a small, out of the way, and difficult to get to location. Instead the use of cities like London, Paris, Kingston Nairobi, and Berlin are the norm across the planet. It is only fitting that the nation with easily the largest number of elite competitors being sent to global championships should host its Trials meet in a similar type location. Providing easy and comfortable access not only to American fans, but global fans. As our National Championship meet draws interest from fans and press all over the globe, because it is easily the biggest meet each year on the planet outside of the World Championships and Olympics. It should be treated as such by our federation – USATF. This is what we owe our athletes, coaches, and fans. It’s what we owe the sport!