by Larry Eder
My first view, the new Hayward Field, 7 May 2021, photo by Larry Eder / @RunBlogRun
The most prevelent question that I get each and every day is if the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials will have fans?
That is a good question, and it is not as easy to answer as it looks. Allow me to explain….
My first night at the new Hayward Field, 7 May 2021, photo by Larry Eder/ @RunBlogRun
The pandemic truly began in early February 2020, after a couple months of simmering in thoughtful media.
I began learning about a possible pandemic in late November 2019 and wondered how it would affect us.
Now, having lived through the pandemic for some time (fifteen months), I have come to the conclusion that the modern pandemic is a bad Stephen King novel made worse by fractured social media and the inability for many people, for a myriad of reasons, to trust medical professionals and political leaders.
I know people who have died now, including my father due to the pandemic or its affects. His life was shortened by several factors, but our ability to ease his passing was affected by Covid 19.
My business, which relies on visiting 35-40 major events a year, has been decimated. While I can and do cover events remotely and more (70-80 events), the ability to build revenue and profit streams is just not there yet; this is about survival.
The bespoke meets like ATL, Sound Running, Miles of Trials and USATF Journey to Gold have kept us alive and motivated. Athletes have been training with a special vigor.
The Olympic Trials are a hallmark of U.S. athletics. This Trials will be my 11th to visit and 13th to view, will be like no other. In many instances, the U.S. Olympic Trials are much deeper than Olympic events, and the fans who have come to them for 20, 30, 40 years are in love with the event.
The problem is, who will get in? Will anyone get in? Any why is it taking so long to decide?
Why?
Because Lane County, the University of Oregon, USATF, USOC, Tracktown 2021 all have their concerns, fingers in the pie and legal worries about how to put on a major event in the time of a health crisis, the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials in Athletics will be like no other. The Governor of Oregon noted that Lane Country and much of the state had about 60 percent vaccination rate and hoped it would get to 70 percent.
People are hoping against hope that they can get a seat in the new Hayward Field.
Air BnBs are sold out in Eugene, Springfield and within one hour of Eugene. So are hotels. The Hilton Tru we stayed in Eugene to see the Oregon Twilight on May 7-8 was $116. One month later, it is $336 a night. We were cancelled in an Air B n B at $75 a night, and now they will get $135-$150 a night. We found a house in Eugene, 4 bedrooms, at $1000 a night.
But, the funny thing is. Who will be allowed in the stadium?
Let’s be frank. To have athletes, coaches, trainers and officials in the stadium will require 15 percent occupancy, at least. After that, one can only guess.
The NCAA Division 1 Track Championships are June 9-12 in Eugene, Oregon. The fans at the NCAA Division 1,2,3 Champs are some of the most vociferous athletic fans in the world. I find it doubtful if more than 35 percent of the new Hayward Field will be open to fans, meaning non-athletes, coaches, officials, family members, during the NCAA Championships.
Why?
No matter what the CDC is saying to placate various political groups, anti-vax groups, and a weary general public, we are still in a pandemic and even if it is not convenient, people could still die. While most dangerous situations are inside buildings where people without vaccines are most endangered, the Health Officials have to look at the ever changing pandemic.
So what will happen, June 18-27?
My guess is that, daily, people will be allowed to get into the stadium. Not many at first, and if the numbers in Lane County stay under state guidelines, more fans will be allowed inside the stadium, on a day by day basis. I do not believe we will see more than a 50 per cent occupancy, and probably 35-40 percent at best.
I would love to see a full stadium, rocking to the sprints, high jump, distance races and exciting performances that can only happen in an Olympic Trials, but I am not sure that is in store for us in 2021.
The limitations on media will be profound as well. No matter what, interviews will all be remote. Photographers, reporters, media organizations will all be limited.
My first night at the new Hayward Field, 7 May 2021, photo by Larry Eder/ @RunBlogRun
Honestly, I am not sure that the Olympic Trials will be all back until 2024, and that in 2022, the World Championships in Eugene will be one of the first times that most U.S. track fans will be able to see Hayward Field as it should be seen: with a full boisterous crowd, cheering athletes from around the globe, on a fast track and a stadium that salutes the Pacific Northwest.
Stay tuned.
