Visiting Eugene was a breathtaking experience. The city has an abundance of running trails and clean air. The Hayward Field is packed with enthusiastic fans during World Championships
Long before I became a journalist (sports), I read about Eugene and its running environment in one of the leading running magazines (The Runner’s World) during my college days.
I was very curious to have a first-hand experience of Eugene. Then I had no money to travel to the USA?
Eventually, after more than three long decades, I was in Eugene! What was more heartening, I was there to cover the 2022 Eugene World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA. I got ample opportunity to meet and interact with global athletes; sports administrators, and coaches.
The Indian athletics team was spearheaded by ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. He won silver on his debut at the Worlds.
Post Covid-19 Pandemic, I had to quit the National English daily sports bureau desk (Delhi) in 2021. Based out of Delhi, I was working as a freelance journalist and had limited financial resources to make it to Eugene. Moreover, my USA visa had expired and the chance of early approval of my visa application looked doubtful.
Trip to Eugene was close, yet so far. Eventually things started happening at a fast pace. I landed in Eugene.
For a record the 2022 Eugene World Athletics Championships was the third global competition watched from the media zone.
Then as a cub journalist I had witnessed India’s first global medal, a bronze through Anju Bobby George at the 2003 Paris World Athletics Championships in France. It was a good learning experience.
To explore Eugene and its endless miles and miles of trail running was one of my priorities. I got a new pair of running shoes to test myself on the soft running trail on the outskirts of the main city.
Local sports community also suggested visiting the Hendricks Park area where USA promising distance runner, Steve Prefontaine, met with a fatal road accident on May 30, 1975.
One afternoon, we went to Hendricks Park, and saw runners from all walks of life paying homage to Pre (Steve {Prefontaine) accident site. Prefontaine was 24 at the time of the accident and was preparing for the 1976 Olympic Games. Pre finished fourth in the men’s 5,000m at the 1972 Olympic Games. He also set several national records ranging from 2000m to 10,000m.
I also got a chance step on the Hayward Field track. World Athletics organises a two-lap race for journalists. Indeed! It was an amazing experience to compete over 800m. But it was very competitive. There were more than 50 journalists and were divided into batches of eight to 10 for each of the heats. Some of the male journalists clocked astonishing 1:52 seconds while the best female journalist could finish the 800m in less than 2:25 seconds.
The charm of Eugene was irresistible. The local running community was very friendly. I hope to return to Eugene in 2026 to cover the World U20 Athletics Championships. My USA visa is valid till 2032 and I’ve started saving funds for my tickets!
ENDS
