TrackTown, USA: We started our morning with brunch hosted by our friend Carlos, who we met at the USATFs last year. Carlos is from Atlanta, and brought two of his friends this year so they could see what it's all about here in TrackTown. We are seated with them in the stadium and we are having ourselves quite a fun time.
After brunch, Dave and I went to the new "district" area across the street with the 5th Street Public Market to see the newest version of the NIKE store in Eugene. The entire building has been "wrapped" (not painted, wrapped, like they do to with advertisements on cars and tour buses) in what I think is supposed to be the orange-color of a NIKE shoe box (?), except in this photo it kinda looks red. I don't know. No one asked me.
Oh wow, was it crazy-busy inside the NIKE store. We didn't stay long. Next we headed over to REI so DT could look for some padded bike shorts (found), and were able to use our entire 2022 dividend. Since moving to SoCal, we are miles away from a branch of this co-op, so are not accumulating points like we once did. But good news, campers: REI is opening a store at The River in Rancho Mirage in October!
After a relaxing early afternoon in the RV (where I finished stitching the champagne flute the cheetah is holding in his/her tail), we headed over to Historic Hayward Field for Day 2 of the USA Olympic Athletics Trials. Now we know where to go, whats-what, have reacquainted ourselves with the volunteer usher who has been in charge of our section at every meet since the new stadium opened.
NBC is making a few changes in their Olympic coverage for the 2024 Paris Olympics, hiring a great diversity of ambassador media people, including Lesley Jones, Snoop Dogg, Jimmy Fallon, Johnny Weir, Tara Lipinski, Kelly Clarkson, and Payton Manning (plus more "celebrity" commentators) to interview athletes during the games. Not sure exactly what is going on with this, but Snoop Dogg was in the house today, and was hanging out in the TrackTown hospitality suite. (As one does.)
(photo by E.E.)
Speaking of the hospitality suite, I only went there once today, and only to grab bottles of water, but the views of the stadium from this venue are just spectacular:
So many great races today, and the final of the decathlon. America is sending three mighty men to Paris in the decathlon and it was pleasure to watch the two-day competition and fun to sit with family of third-place finisher, Harrison Williams the past days. Williams, Zach Ziemek, and Michigan State's Heath Baldwin (winner) will go to Paris. Other finals: Women's Triple Jump, men's shot, and the women's 100m.
Everyone in the stadium was waiting for the women's 100m final. It's not like we were worried about who would make the men's shot put team. No, we were not. Everyone just wanted to watch Sha'Carri kick it in the 100 and prove herself to America... until she really proves herself to the world in Paris. It was a very fun race and the final race of the evening. Another fun addition to our evening was the amazing number of current/past Oregon Ducks racing to travel to Paris. It's looking good for a very green & yellow Olympics for the red, white, and blue.
After Richardson won the 100m, the stadium began to empty and it was like salmon spawning... but we eventually left the stadium and had dinner with Elizabeth, Vin, and Sam at Marché - the same place we had breakfast with Carlos.
Please see the links below and watch or record the meet. It's only a two or three hour event most evenings and the coverage is most excellent (we know this because we watch the meet via our DVR after we return to the RV each evening). So. Much. Fun.
Until my next update, I remain, your rinse-and-repeat tomorrow correspondent.
Olympic Trials Information:
Meet schedule
Where to watch
Meet results
Campground Information: Premier RV Resorts - A bit confusing, as we have a frequent-flyer discount card, but we would be paying about $78 per night (we have several nights free on this visit with our punch card). The park is full-service, with every amenity (though the pool is teeny) and is very dog-friendly - with a dog wash. Small shop with limited groceries, RV supplies, Duck stuff, ice cream and ice. It is right on I-5 so quite noisy. The most conveniently located campsite for a visit to Eugene, but is isn't really very convenient. We stay here all the time. Like, really, all the time.
I have watched coverage so far and as always have only admiration for the work it has taken everyone to get to the olympic trials, The coverage is not improved by comments from Snoop Dog and other “famous” people who know nothing about the sport they are commenting on. It will be difficult to watch the games from Paris if this goes on too much.