• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home 2022 World Championships Oregon

Oregon 22 WAC Redux: It Only Took 39 Years But Eugene Brough Superb World Meet to USA for the First Time

Elliott DenmanbyElliott Denman
August 18, 2022
0
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs, Day Eight: McLaughlin’s 50.68 WR is a Magnificent Highlight!

Sydney McLaughlin sets new WR of 50.68 in 400m hurdles, World Athletics Championships Eugene, Oregon, USA July 15-26, 2022, photo by Kevin Morris

0 0
0
SHARES
30
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

This was how long-time track & field scribe Elliott Denman wrote about those amazing ten days in July 2022, in Eugene, Oregon. 

IT ONLY TOOK 39 YEARS
BUT EUGENE BROUGHT
SUPERB WORLD MEET
TO USA FOR THE FIRST TIME

RelatedPosts

Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running

Is Sha’Carri Richardson the one true global star of Track and Field since Usain Bolt?

NUGUSE SMASHES AMERICAN RECORD FOR THE MILE: 3:43.97

By ELLIOTT DENMAN

EUGENE, OREGON – Well, it only took 39 years…

But the United States – at last, at last – played its proper role as a global leader in the most classic of all sports by opening its own doors and facilities to the biggest event there is, apart from the Olympic Games.

The World Championships of Track and Field – which concluded a successful 10-day run at the magnificent Hayward Field, and some nearby road racing venues on 24 July 2022, was a heck of an event, and if you hadn’t been a track and field fan beforehand, and managed to score a ticket or two, you surely would have been an enthusiast by the time you headed home.

Lots of amazing athletes, representing 179 nations, as well as a refugee athlete team, taking on the greatest challenges the sport has to offer in the direction of running, throwing, jumping, and walking, making it a sensational event, a heck of a good thing, in all directions.

Chase Ealey wins the Women’s shot put at World Athletics Championships
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July 15-24, 2022
shot put, gold medal, photo by Kevin Morris

It started with really great stuff for the home fans – that 1-2-3 USA medal sweeps in the men’s 100 and shot put. But soon, the counter-attacks were underway.

Those Jamaica ladies were incredible – as ever. No wonder so many of their fans who’d found their way to Oregon were adorned in those “Faster Forever” t-shirts.

Soon, day by day, the rest of the world began finding its groove.

Jake beat Jakob – Wightman beat Ingebrigtsen – in a brilliant 1500 meters as British fans exulted. And Jake’s father – Geoff, was the stadium announcer! But Norway’s Jakob would come right back to win the 5,000 meters.

Distance runners from East Africa were again amazing Bun no longer were these events a Kenya-Ethiopia dual meet. Uganda’s a major distance power now, too. And did you notice how USA’s Grant Fisher was in the middle ot it all? And those steeplers from Morocco and Kazakhstan striking gold, too?

Stiil, no world records until Day Eight. It took a Jersey Girl – Sydney McLaughlin, the pride of Dunellen, the Union Catholic High School Alumni Association, and now the pride of her whole nation, and probably far beyond, to achieve all this in just 50.68 seconds. Count on younger ladies of the universe to start telling their moms and dads – “when I grow up, I want to be a Sydney, too.”

Dunellen Syd is so good at the 400-meter hurdles – get this – that she’d have been beating almost all others over the one-lap distance – even without those pesky 10 hurdles in their lanes.

And thus, World Athletics president Seb Coe, at last,/at last got to present the giant-sized $100,000 check to all who got those two big letters – WR – flashed with their name on the giant scoreboard.

Seb got to trot out those big 100-grand WR checks twice more as the meet raced to its Sunday night conclusion.

First, Tobi Amusan of Nigeria sprinted over the women’s 100-meter hurdles in 12.12 seconds. And this was just the semifinal. WR again.up on the board. She was even faster in the final – 12.06 – but just slightly wind-aided. Take note: Amusan is a fomer Texas-El Paso athlete. Like so many others from so many nations here at Worlds, she’s benefited hugely from the superb and giving U.S. college system.

Mondo Duplantis, World Athletics Championships
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July 15-24, 2022, photo by Kevin Morris

Just moments after the last 4×400 relay team had crossed the line – in an event Syd anchored the USA to gold in a brilliant 47.91 lap – Armand “Mondo” Duplantis of Sweden (and Lafayette, Louisiana) soared up-up-up and over the pole vault bar raised to 6.21 meters, or 20 feet, 4 1/2 inches, as the crowd went wild – for the final time. Mondo has now cleared 6 meters more often than the great Sergei Bubka of Ukraine. He is so good at his catapulting specialty that he’s now more than one-third of the way to 21 feet. Is anything like that even humanly possible in this evolving event? Answer: never say never.

There was something in this World Championships for everyone. Of those 179 nations, 29 had gold medalists, and 81 had finalists.

There was all-new Worlds glory at this level for Peru, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria. It was 20K/35K racewalker Kimberly Garcia Leon of Peru who racewalked to double individual gold, a feat no other athlete here achieved.

TV viewership ratings were high and strong. Global watchers got to see a darn good show.

The World Championships, of course, were born in Helsinki in 1983 – as an alternate to the Olympic Games, to give the world’s elite more than one chance in four years to sparkle on their sport’s biggest stage. The next 16 editions were held in Rome, Tokyo, Stuttgart, Goteborg, Athens, Seville, Edmonton, Paris, Helsinki (again), Osaka, Berlin, Daegu, Moscow, Beijing, London, and Doha. And then it was Eugene’s – and USA’s – time in the sun.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen takes gold in 5000m! World Athletics Championships
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July 15-24, 2022, photo by Kevin Morris

Needless to say, there were ups and downs attached to all of them – and that statement comes from first-hand knowledge; I have been told that I’m now the lone American media person to be credentialed to all of them.

That so, let me take this opportunity to say a few things,

Know what? Eugene could have been even better.

Here’s a short list of things that shoulda-coulda-woulda have made it more of a great global event than it was:.

The big one here: They should have imposed a fans’ no-bankruptcy policy from Day One – in other words, no sticker shock at reading the grossly inflated price tags put on everything from stadium tickets to accommodations to car rentals and parking spots.

The 10-day program was too long. It could have been done in seven or eight. If all the Oregon state travel bureaus were really intent on getting visitors to check out their delights, visitors should have been allowed a day off – or two or three – to get that done. A free Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday to do some exploration would have been excellent,

Eugene establishments should have been more cooperative, too. Instead of doing it the old-old pre-Worlds way – closing up shop around 10 p.m – they should have noticed that the multitudes weren’t leaving Hayward Field en masse – after all the medal ceremonies were done, etc. – until about 8.30 or 9.

Tobi Amusan destroys 100m hurdle WR, World Athletics Championships
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July 15-24 2022, photo by Kevin Morris

With all this, it was no wonder that so many vacant green seats were seen at Hayward – especially so in the early days of the meet.

Lots of solutions were offered. Seems like few were accepted. Offer kids – boy scouts, girl scouts, young track folk, young athletes of any kind – free tickets. Why not? And thus build a fan base for the future.

Kindlier treatment for the foot soldiers of the event, that army of purple-shirted volunteers that made so much possible for so many others. Give them tickets for their off-days? No, keep them in relative solitary confinement in the course of their duties – don’t want these folks actually communicating with the athletes. It’s that legendary Oregon volunteer army that helped Eugene get the Worlds bid in the early stages.

Jake Wightman becomes the first Brit since Steve Cram to win WC 1,500m (that was in 1983), World Athletics Championships.
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July 15-24, 2022
1500 meter final, Wightman, GBR, New Balance, photo by Kevin Morris

Oh….and they could have built a kinder, gentler Hayward Field for some older folks in the first place. It’s said to have just a single – and tiny – elevator to the big upper deck.. Climbing, and schlepping up all those steps, was a big chore for most who weren’t training for the Eugene marathon.

OK, and no more negativity. Good on you, Eugene, a place where every resident is on a first-name basis.

Bottom line: you did it when no other USA city had even tried.

Author

  • Elliott Denman
    Elliott Denman

    One of the finest and most prolific writers in our sport, Elliott Denman has written about our sport since 1956, when he represented the US in 1956 Olympic Games at the 50k race walk, the longest event on the Olympic schedule. A close observer of the sport, Elliott writes about all of our sport, combining the skills of a well honed writer with the style of ee Cummings. We are quite fortunate to have Elliott Denman as a friend and advisor.

    View all posts

Previous Post

2022 Munich Diary, Day Two: Marcell Jacobs finds solace with European Gold in Munich after injury-laden season

Next Post

Run by Women, #16: The Young and Unyielding Anna Hall

Elliott Denman

Elliott Denman

One of the finest and most prolific writers in our sport, Elliott Denman has written about our sport since 1956, when he represented the US in 1956 Olympic Games at the 50k race walk, the longest event on the Olympic schedule. A close observer of the sport, Elliott writes about all of our sport, combining the skills of a well honed writer with the style of ee Cummings. We are quite fortunate to have Elliott Denman as a friend and advisor.

Similar Post

WC / Day Eight: Relay Madness:  4×1 Sweep For USA, Mondo’s Perfect Game Strikes Gold
Training Tips

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing Program, Week 3, day 1, Monday is an easy day…

September 25, 2023
2022 Berlin Marathon Diary, Eliud Kipchoge all set for Berlin return

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 2, Day 7, the long run is on Sunday

September 25, 2023
Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running
Convos w LE

Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running

September 23, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Berlin Marathon is tomorrow, US Olympic Trials will be well presented, but hotels and Air BnBs are already charging more!
Coffee With Larry

Coffee With Larry, Berlin Marathon is tomorrow, US Olympic Trials will be well presented, but hotels and Air BnBs are already charging more!

September 23, 2023
Will a win -or anything else- matter for Eliud Kipchoge at the 2023 Berlin Marathon?
World Marathon Majors

Will a win -or anything else- matter for Eliud Kipchoge at the 2023 Berlin Marathon?

September 23, 2023
Coffee with Larry, Nike Pre Classic : Best Edition Ever!
Training Tips

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 2, day 6, a day at the races!

September 23, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

August 27, 2023
An epic pole vault competition

An epic pole vault competition

August 26, 2023
2022 USATF Outdoor Champs: Melissa Jefferson takes the Women’s 100m title in windy 10.69!

The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

February 8, 2023
Reborn Sha’Carri Richardson comes back from the brink and is now ready to become the world champion

Reborn Sha’Carri Richardson comes back from the brink and is now ready to become the world champion

July 17, 2023
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
2022 Munich Diary, Day Five, a Great Friday Night

2023 European Athletics Indoor Champs, The Women’s 60m, who will win the final tonight?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
WC / Day Eight: Relay Madness:  4×1 Sweep For USA, Mondo’s Perfect Game Strikes Gold

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing Program, Week 3, day 1, Monday is an easy day…

September 25, 2023
2022 Berlin Marathon Diary, Eliud Kipchoge all set for Berlin return

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 2, Day 7, the long run is on Sunday

September 25, 2023
Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running

Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running

September 23, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Berlin Marathon is tomorrow, US Olympic Trials will be well presented, but hotels and Air BnBs are already charging more!

Coffee With Larry, Berlin Marathon is tomorrow, US Olympic Trials will be well presented, but hotels and Air BnBs are already charging more!

September 23, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reborn Sha’Carri Richardson comes back from the brink and is now ready to become the world champion

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
WC / Day Eight: Relay Madness:  4×1 Sweep For USA, Mondo’s Perfect Game Strikes Gold
Training Tips

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing Program, Week 3, day 1, Monday is an easy day…

September 25, 2023
2022 Berlin Marathon Diary, Eliud Kipchoge all set for Berlin return

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 2, Day 7, the long run is on Sunday

September 25, 2023
Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running
Convos w LE

Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running

September 23, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Berlin Marathon is tomorrow, US Olympic Trials will be well presented, but hotels and Air BnBs are already charging more!
Coffee With Larry

Coffee With Larry, Berlin Marathon is tomorrow, US Olympic Trials will be well presented, but hotels and Air BnBs are already charging more!

September 23, 2023

Recent Tweets

Next Post
Run by Women, #16: The Young and Unyielding Anna Hall

Run by Women, #16: The Young and Unyielding Anna Hall

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist