day 4 when jess learns that pole-vaulting is one of the most exciting sports in the world

on day 4 my intention was to stay in portland. but after a day of being in the city, i wasn't too interested in being in a city anymore. but i went out for breakfast anyway, trying to figure out what i would go see and where i would go. turns out that i would go to eugene since i was reading the paper and found an ad for a public festival at the us track and field olympic trials in eugene that was happening that very day.

two hours later, i was parked at antzen stadium at the university of oregon waiting for the free shuttle and 20 minutes after that, i was at historic hayward field in the land of steve prefontaine (and yes, he certainly does live), track town USA and the land of nike.

i saw the pole-vaulting, javelin and 1500 meter run for the decathlon, the women's 800 meter, men's 800 meter, women's high jump, javelin, and women's steeplechase. i have to say that of all of my sports-watching, that this was one of the most exciting, riveting and engaging events i have ever been to. and when 3 oregon boys won the men's 800 meters, it was one of the loudest. i have NEVER heard a crowd cheer for any sport as loudly as they cheered when they won.

eugene is a place where people watch track. they know all of the stats, they know all of the techniques that enhance all of the disciplines of track and field (i.e. watching the pole-vaulting, "well, his elbow was just too low on that one.... lift it up and he should be fine"), and they are serious about ritual. having never been to a "real" track meet where the sport lies on the cusp of professional / amateur, i had never experienced the etiquette of track-watching.

there is A LOT of clapping. in fact, much of the "cheering" is expressed through clapping. athletes will ask the crowd to clap before performing sometimes (pole-vaulting) or most of the time, the clapping is this crowd-together, rhythmic clapping that follows the runners around the track. and on the last lap of any race, as the runners approach, you rhythmically clap, stand up and then stay standing until the race is done. it is exhilirating.

so here are the pics. as you can tell by my long rant here, i liked this day, and it will make watching the olympics that much more special. watch out for my main man, tom pappas. he is the shit.