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Lead Stories: Wednesday, December 3, 2008

In Between Eugene Will be Des Moines

Posted December 13th, 2007 at 9:54 AM by Martha Jones

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Eugene, Ore., will host the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2008, and the U.S. Outdoor Championships in 2009 and 2011. In between, USATF announced today, the national championship meet will move to Des Moines, Iowa, home of Drake University and the Drake Relays.

“For several years, we have wanted to bring one of our premiere events to Drake Stadium,” USATF CEO Masback said in a prepared statement. “The Drake Relays is truly a community event with phenomenal fan support, and that community spirit shone through in Des Moines’ bid. We look forward to building a very strong partnership with local organizers for what will be an outstanding 2010 USA Outdoor Championships.”

Drake Stadium will get a $15 million renovation for the championships. “We envisioned that the facility would make Drake and Des Moines the Midwest capital of track and field,” Drake President David Maxwell said. “This event is a huge plus not only for Drake but also Des Moines and Iowa as a whole.”

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Oerter memorial service announced

Posted October 8th, 2007 at 6:45 PM by Martin Kennedy

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

A memorial service for four-time Olympic gold medalist, former world record holder and National Track & Field Hall of Famer Al Oerter, who died on October 1, has been announced.

The event will take place on Friday, October 19 at First Christian Church in Ft. Myers, Fla., beginning at 1:00 p.m. The address is 2061 McGregor Blvd., in Ft. Myers, FL 33901. Phone: 239-334-0316.
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Olympic great Al Oerter dies

Posted October 1st, 2007 at 3:05 PM by Jamal Walker

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Four-time Olympic gold medalist, former world record holder and National Track & Field Hall of Famer Al Oerter died Monday of heart failure in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. He was 71.

The greatest athlete ever to compete in the discus, Oerter participated in four Olympics, always as the underdog, and always came out the winner. With each win he set an Olympic record in the event.

A native of Astoria, N.Y., Oerter won his first gold medal in 1956 while he was a student at the University of Kansas, upsetting fellow National Track & Field Hall of Famer Fortune Gordien in throwing an Olympic record 56.37 meters/184 feet 11 inches.
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