Siegel said USATF is working with the U.S. Olympic Committee on contingency plans in case traffic does end up as snarled as some predict. Aretha Thurmond, a four-time Olympian who is now director of global teams for USATF, said staff will be on the ground a full two weeks before the Olympic track meet starts to make test runs to the stadium and map out every possible option for athletes.
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Athletes who’ve represented the United States internationally and at multiple Olympics assembled in Eugene for one last shot.
“It doesn’t really settle in in that moment where you’re thinking, ‘This is it, ‘” Montano said about the moment when she hooked shoes with Brenda Martinez, who had made contact with the leader and eventual runner-up, Ajee Wilson.
The top-three finishers who have the Olympic Standard at each event at U.S. Olympic Trials qualify for the games in Rio.
“It’s heartbreaking to see some of the veterans who will not be on the team, ” said Max Siegel, the CEO of USATF, “which happens all the time”. It’s also equally exciting seeing some of the new members making their first team. The Olympics will be held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil plus track and field will be held at the Olympics from August 12 to August 21.
Derek Call is part of the Runner’s World team in OR covering the U.S. “But I know it’s something I will consider in four years, but maybe in another even like the 5,000”. In the last summer Olympics, the average American squad age was 27.4.
For years, the ages crept higher, peaking at 28.5 for the Sydney Games in 2000.
Kendricks, who attended The University of MS from 2012 to 2014, had what must have been a memorable start to his U.S. Olympic career as he set a Trials record in the pole vault. Therefore, we saw their faces in a lot more competitions like Beijing and London. Felix, Gatlin and Lowe have clinched spots in the Rio Games. “Certain teams will benefit from it like us, Great Britain, France, Germany, all the countries that have scrutinized their athletes well”.
“I think we have a good mix of players, with guys bringing different skills sets to the table”. Runners must finish in the top three in Sunday’s final to make Team USA to Rio. Felix is already qualified at 400 meters and begins her quest in the 200, her specialty, on Friday.
Already qualified for the Olympics in his “real” race, the 400, Merritt pulled away for an easy victory in the opening round of 200-meter qualifying at the rain-soaked U.S. Olympic Trials on Thursday, posting the night’s third-best time at 20.09 seconds.
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Simpson paced the field by jumping to the front in the first 100 meters after seeing a fall in an earlier heat – which can easily end any hope of qualifying.
