© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Find KLCC coverage of Oregon21 here!0000017b-98c7-d6d2-a7fb-9eefdccb0004

Pre Classic To Give International Athletes A Taste Of 2022

Karen Richards

For many Olympic track and field athletes, the next stop after Tokyo will be Eugene. The Prefontaine Classic is August 20th and 21st at Hayward Field.

The Pre Classic was postponed from its usual May time slot because of the pandemic. Now, it’ll give international athletes a chance to see the location of next year’s biggest event.

Jeff Oliver is a spokesperson for the event. He told KLCC, “A lot of these athletes, it’s kind of their first visit to Eugene, to the new Hayward Field. They’re going to put up good marks here this year in August, but obviously their goal is to come back, and next year it’s the World Championships, and do it again.”

 

Oliver said for professionals, the Olympics weren’t necessarily the end of the season. Medal winners Athing Mu, Ryan Crouser and Raevyn Rogers are on the start lists. Oliver said because the venue is outdoors, as of now there are no COVID restrictions. Ticket-holders can also attend Friday night’s women’s distance races. 

Karen Richards joined KLCC as a volunteer reporter in 2012, and became a freelance reporter at the station in 2015. In addition to news reporting, she’s contributed to several feature series for the station, earning multiple awards for her reporting.
Related Content