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Eugene Will Not Host 2020 Olympic Trials

Eugene will not host the 2020 Olympic Track Trials. USATF announced Wednesday they’re awarding the honor to the city of Los Angeles.

Travel Lane County’s President and CEO Kari Westlund says the decision comes as a disappointment for the Eugene community.

“We wish our competition well in Walnut,” says Westlund. “They’re looking towards the 2024 Olympics in the greater LA area and they want to get started on that vision. I guess in our heart of hearts we’re not sure anybody else will do it quite as well as we’ve done it because we really have a love for the sport here but we have to share. So that’s the decision and we’re going to have to live with it.”

Eugene's Hayward field hosted the last three consecutive trials, which brought money to the city. In 2008, 2012 and 2016 athletes and track enthusiasts from across the country flocked to Eugene. In both 2012 and 2016, visitors spent about $37 million within the community. Eugene is still looking forward to the IAAF World Championships in 2021, however the BBC reports that the decision to have TrackTown host the competition is under FBI and IRS investigation.