EUGENE, Ore. – In the summer of 2008, the U.S. Olympic Team Trials returned to historic Hayward Field after a 28-year hiatus.
Who will ever forget the men’s 800-meter final?
In one of the most famous finishes in U.S. history, and a race that many argue re-established Eugene’s status as TrackTown USA, Oregon Track Club Elite’s Nick Symmonds was triumphant in first place; University of Oregon sophomore Andrew Wheating shocked even himself by placing second; and OTC Elite teammate Christian Smith dove across the finish line to complete the improbable hometown sweep.
The crowd of 20,949 erupted with such force that patrons having dinner at a restaurant three blocks away said the building actually shook.