(Belga) For the first time in their history, the United States will host the World Athletics Championships. Eugene, American cradle of this sport, will be the scene of the 18th edition of the high mass of the main Olympic sport, from July 15 to 24 on the tartan of Hayward Field, stadium of the prestigious University of Oregon. Initially scheduled for the summer of 2021, the Worlds have been postponed for a year to avoid competing with the Tokyo Olympics, also postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As incongruous as it may seem, never has the most successful nation in the history of athletics, both at the Worlds and at the Olympic Games, had the privilege of organizing a world championship. What other place than Eugene, which calls itself “the world capital of athletics” or “TrackTown USA” (the American city of athletics, editor’s note), to host these Worlds? After having organized the American championships fourteen times and the “trials” (American selections for the Olympic Games, editor’s note) seven times, Eugene, where the Prefontaine Classic is also held, a Diamond League meeting since 2010, will bring together 1,972 athletes from from 192 countries for 10 days. They will compete there for the 49 gold medals at stake. The history of Eugene and his university is also closely linked to that of the American firm Nike. It is indeed a coach and an athlete of the Oregon Ducks, Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, who are at the origin of the creation of the multinational. Knight has also greatly participated, thanks to a large donation, in the renovation of Hayward Field for the Worlds. Built in 1919, it completely transformed between summer 2018 and spring 2020. (Belga)
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