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2020 Olympic Trials: Mt. SAC, Los Angeles Beat Out Eugene

By Justin Phillips

Jun 10, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Raeven Rogers of Oregon defeats Kendall Ellis of Southern California on the anchor of the women's 4 x 400m relay, collegiate record 3:23:13 to 3:23.35, to clinch the team title during the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 10, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Raeven Rogers of Oregon defeats Kendall Ellis of Southern California on the anchor of the women's 4 x 400m relay, collegiate record 3:23:13 to 3:23.35, to clinch the team title during the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Olympic Team Trials will not return to Eugene and Hayward Field for a third consecutive run.

USA Track and Field announced on Wednesday that the 2020 Olympic Trials will head South to a bigger market, Los Angeles. Mt. San Antonio College will welcome the 10-day event in the Summer of 2020. Significant upgrades to Hilmer Lodge Stadium was part of the reason which also included bringing it closer to Los Angeles.

Mt. SAC last hosted the Olympic Team Trials in 1960. Hayward Field will be under renovation over the next year and the timeline for things being ready in Eugene were not a concern for the Committee in their decision.

According to USATF CEO Max Siegel, it was a matter of spreading the wealth so to speak, “USATF has been very deliberate and strategic about cultivating relationships with cities and local organizers who are capable of and interested in hosting our largest events.”

Moving the Olympic Trials to the Los Angeles Area also gives the area some key exposure leading up to the 2024 Olympic Games. LA is currently bidding for the opportunity to host the games.

For fans in Eugene, having the Olympic Trials at Historic Hayward Field in 2012 and 2016 was important for the growth of the sport. The knowledge of the fanbase in Los Angeles has a few years to get up to speed. Personally, I believe that attendance for the Olympic Trials could be an issue in the Los Angeles Area.

Eugene has long been known as Tracktown USA and I expect the Olympic Trials will return to the University of Oregon.

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Hayward Field will host the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in 2021.