Why We Watch, Day Seven

By Lee Juillerat
There's a reason why people, especially track and field, obsessively want to be in the stands for even seemingly insignificant events. Early on during the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, the moment came when Tyson Gay, America's best hope in the sprints, nearly lost a chance to advance beyond the opening round of the 100 meter dash when he seemingly misjudged the finish line. He recovered to move on the round two, where he set an American record, and the finals, where he ran the fastest time ever, although it won't be a world record because the wind was over the allowable limit.

 

Saturday's second we were there moment came in the semi-finals for the men's 200, and again involved Gay. The results were devastating. Fourteen steps from the starting blocks, Gay grabbed his left thigh, grimaced and smashed to the track in obvious pain. It hurt to watch. When he was carted from the track, the crowd was silenced. It's hoped the injury was only a severe cramp, that he will be able to run the 100 in Beijing and, likely, anchor the men's 4-by-100 relay team.

Gay's injury cast a shadow over the rest of the proceedings, including a win by yet another Eugene refugee, Jesse Williams, in the high jump, who cleared 7-foot 6.5 inches. There was also the gently touching saga of Michelle Carter, the 22-year-old daughter of 1984 Silver Medalist Michael Carter. Michelle won with a heave of 61-10.25. And in the men's 3000 meter steeplechase, Anthony Famiglietti, notable for an appearance and on-track demeanor that says I'll slug you in the ribs if you try to pass me, built a huge lead then held off late challenges from William Nelson and Josh McAdams to win in 8:20:24. Nelson, who did not previously have an A qualifying time, credited Famiglietti with setting a pace that helped him achieve the time and place.

Hayward Field will be the place for the final time Sunday with a feast of finals, including the women's pole vault, men's triple jump, women's 1500, men's javelin, men's and women's 200, men's 110 hurdles, women's 100 hurdles and, the final topping, the men's 1500.
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Track and field has been the focus, but so have been activities off the track. Like hundreds of others I've stood in line for autographed posters, including Christian Cantwell, second in the shot put, and Shalene Flanigan, the winner of the women's 10,000 and third in the 5K. Back home I'll have an autographed copy of "The Men of Oregon" by Kenny Moore to read. I've visited with Dan O'Brien, the 1986 Gold Medalist, won a pair of shoe laces, watched events on the festival big screen, doted on the photos at the Schnitzer and avoided traffic by bicycling and taking advantage of the free valet bicycle parking.

It's not over yet, but thank you Eugene.