Rendition of Mt.SAC Track complex, photo courtesy of Mt.SAC
Curious to know what is going on now? Well, that will take some time.
There are different opinions on how the reopening of the 2020 Trials transpired. Suffice it to say, Mt.SAC waited for over an hour before Mt.SAC was told that they would no longer be hosting the 2020 Trials. Scott Reid wrote the piece, Mt.SAC Loses 2020 Olympic Track & Field Trials.
The lawsuits concerned USATF, it seems. Perhaps there was concern from the USOC. Whatever transpired, Mt.SAC is out of the picture. Conflicting stories on who will bid (Des Moines, Sacramento, Eugene, and Mt.SAC are mentioned).
Eugene has several challenges. Tracktown USA is rumored to have some changes in its management and all indications are that Vin Lananna’s involvement is negligible, at best. Lananna’s recent issues with USATF, and reported supoena from DOJ over the 2021 Eugene World Champs has changed the role of the USATF President.
Right now, the re opening of the 2020 Team Trials does not put the process in a positive light. We will update as we see more information. The official release is below…
USATF reopens bidding for 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field
INDIANAPOLIS – Bidding to host the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field has been reopened, USATF announced Tuesday. The USATF Board of Directors unanimously authorized the move amid continuing litigation surrounding construction of a new Hilmer Lodge Stadium at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) in Walnut, California, and the resulting delays on planning for a successful 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
The USATF Board awarded the Olympic Trials to Mt. SAC last June. A key portion of the bid was a new stadium on the campus of Mt. SAC. In August, USATF first learned of two lawsuits seeking to halt construction of the stadium: one between the City of Walnut and Mt. SAC and a second, between United Walnut Taxpayers (UWT), a group of local citizens and Mt. SAC. The first lawsuit was settled in April, but the second has yet to be resolved.
With bidding reopened, the USATF Board of Directors will look to re-award the Olympic Trials no later than this June.
