Competition schedule released for 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track and Field

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INDIANAPOLIS - USA Track & Field, the U.S. Olympic Committee and the TrackTown12 Local Organizing Committee on Wednesday announced the release of the competition schedule for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field that will take place June 21 to July 1.

The first official U.S. Olympic Trials event begins on the evening of Thursday, June 21, with a special edition of the men’s and women’s hammer throw at the Nike Campus in Beaverton, Ore. The special location for the hammer throw will be a new and exciting phenomenon in U.S.-based competition, and is a practice which started with much success at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where the shot put competition was held inside the Ancient Olympic stadium.

“We consider the Olympic Trials to be one of the three greatest track and field meets on the planet, after only the Olympic Games themselves and the World Championships,” said USATF Interim CEO Mike McNees. “All of our events are showcased, with athletes trying for that coveted Olympic Team roster spot. Eugene proved itself to be an innovative host for the Olympic Trials in 2008, and they are continuing that innovation in 2012 with the special men’s and women’s hammer throw. We have no doubt the hammer will be a true showcase event that will get the meet off to a great start.”

On Friday, June 22, the first full day of action kicks off at the University of Oregon’s Historic Hayward Field with Ashton Eaton, Trey Hardee and Bryan Clay (Azusa Pacific 2002)in the men’s decathlon, and concludes with the men’s and women’s 10,000 meters. The first weekend of competition is a busy one as finals in the men’s and women’s 100 and 400 meters, men’s long jump, women’s pole vault and women’s discus are contested.

Monday, June 25 also promises to be a great day of highlights, with reigning World Champion high jumper Jesse Williams (USC 2006)headlining in the field events, while finals of both the men’s and women’s 800 will be on the track.

Two rest days – June 26 and June 27 – are sandwiched in between the two four-day periods of track and field competition. Special community events, including an all-comers meet hosted by the Oregon Track Club, will give fans a chance to compete at Hayward Field’s hallowed grounds on the non-competition days.

The final in the men’s pole vault and the men’s and women’s 5,000 meters will bring fans back to their seats on Thursday, June 28. The heptathlon will kick off Friday’s show, with the final of the women’s shot put and the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase coming in the evening. Saturday also promises to be a day of excitement: with the men’s 110 meter hurdles and the women’s 200 meters.

On the final day, the women’s long jump, men’s and women’s 400 meter hurdles, men’s and women’s 1,500 meters and men’s 200 meters are expected to bring to event to a marvelous close.

“All the stakeholders in TrackTown12 have put together a fantastic competition schedule,” said Vin Lananna, co-chair of the Local Organizing Committee and associate athletic director at the University of Oregon. “We believe this exciting schedule will maximize athletic performances as the world’s number one team prepares for the Olympic Games in London. We also think it will optimize the fan experience, as we anticipate hosting the best track and field meet on American soil in a manner that can only be done in TrackTown USA.”

An expanded Hayward Field is well on its way to selling out—as it did in 2008—so fans are encouraged to purchase ticket packages soon, by visiting TrackTown12.com or calling 800-932-3668. All-session ticket packages are now available, and single-day sales will begin in Spring 2012. In recognition of Visa's sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Team, only Visa is accepted at the 2012 US Olympic Trials, along with personal checks.

To extend the energy of the Olympic Trials outside of the stadium, the TrackTown12 LOC is once again planning for a fan festival with entertainment, athlete appearances, partner interactive experiences, Nike merchandise, concessions, and the Starting Block for youth participation. In 2008, approximately 165,000 ticket holders, as well as 40,000 non-ticket holders attended the festival as part of the meet.

The 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field will be broadcast on NBC and its affiliates. Specific event timetables will be announced early in 2012. For the full competition schedule and athlete information, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2012/OlympicTrials-TF/scheduleOfEvents.asp. For more information on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2012/OlympicTrials-TF/ and www.tracktown12.com

About USA Track & Field

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track & field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, the World's #1 Track & Field Team, the most-watched events at the Olympics, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport, and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States: www.usatf.org.

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