Some of the more memorable moments in the history of the Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field have occurred at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field. And when the 2012 edition of the event returned to Eugene, Ore., for the fifth time – more than any other venue in the history of the sport – a long list of impressive marks were added to the already rich tradition.
Competition began June 21 with the men’s and women’s hammer throw at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., before moving to Hayward Field for competition June 22 through July 1. Despite rainy conditions, world, American and Olympic Trials record performances highlighted the near two weeks of competition.
EATON SETS WORLD RECORD
It became difficult to follow what Ashton Eaton put on display during the opening weekend of the Olympic Trials. Eaton rode a hot start of world decathlon record performances in the 100 meters and long jump to open competition and spur him to the overall decathlon world record of 9,039 points.
Eaton, who’s mark surpasses world record holder Roman Sebrle (9,026) and American record holder Dan O’Brien (8,891), battled difficult weather conditions throughout. When it became time for the competition’s final event, the 1,500m run, Eaton needed to run 4:16.23 to set the world record as competitor Curtis Beach waved him through the line. With help from the record capacity crowd at Hayward Field, Eaton cruised through the finish in 4:14.48. It was the first world record set at the Olympic Team Trials since Michael Johnson established the world mark in the 200m in 1996 at 19.66.
Olympic TeAm USA
SelecTed AT Olympic TeAm TriAlS JARED SLINDE
FELIX/TARMOH CAPTURE NATIONAL ATTENTION
Drama was added to the Olympic Team Trials when it was ruled that Jeneba Tarmoh and Allyson Felix had finished in a dead heat for the third spot on Team USA in the women’s 100m. Tarmoh was initially ruled the winner, but a second look determined Tarmoh and Felix had finished in a tie.
Tie-breaking procedures were established and it was determined the athletes would have the option to choose the final spot on the Olympic team via a coin flip or a runoff following competition. A runoff was