A couple things ...
I've now seen a copy of a 2016 report on the condition of Hayward Field's east grandstand ,and things apparently aren't as dire as they sometimes have been portrayed.
The report was prepared by the firm Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. for the architectural firsm SRG Partnership, and delivered on April 29, 2016.
The report noted some problem areas. I found these sections of the report's conclusion particularly interesting.
-- "Generally, the wood framing for the grandstand seating structure is in good-to-fair condition with limited areas of decay and a small number of wood members with splitting or cracking.