An Oregon native who set a shot put world record at the Olympic Trials is headed to Tokyo. Ryan Crouser competed in Eugene in high school, and said he appreciates having grown up in a place that knows track and field.
“Words can’t describe coming back to a brand new Hayward Field, after a pandemic, not even knowing if we would have an Olympics, not having seen my family since 2019," Crouser said at a USATF press conference, "and to come back to the place where track really started for me and throw a world record was such a special moment.”
Crouser said he’s been training in Redmond and hasn’t competed since the Olympic Trials, so he can be at top form in Tokyo.
He said he’s vaccinated and feels safe with the COVID protocols in place for the Olympics, such as daily testing. Crouser said he had limited interactions before his competition in Rio, and expects Tokyo will feel similar. The shot put qualifying rounds are August 3rd.
