adidas OREGON TRACK CLASSIC
Saturday, May 18, 2002 Mount Hood C.C. Gresham, Oregon
Sports News Release
May 14, 2002 Information: Paul Banta, 503-620-4052
503-680-0549 (cell)
For Immediate Use
adidas Oregon Track Classic Notes
International Field - Athletes from 19 countries are scheduled to
compete in Saturday's adidas Oregon Track Classic. In addition to the
American athletes, there are athletes from Kenya (16), Canada (14),
Jamaica (12), Ethiopia (4), Mexico (4), Australia (3), Great Britain
(2), Morocco (2), New Zealand (2), South Africa (2), Bahamas (1),
Cayman Islands (1), Chad (1), Ghana (1), Kazakhstan (1), St. Kitts &
Nevis (1), Slovenia (1), and Switzerland (1).
Record Bonuses - Bonuses for American and World Records are being
offered at the adidas Oregon Track Classic for the first time. World
records are worth $50,000. American records are worth $25,000, except
for the 3000m steeplechase where the bonus is $50,000.
Prize Money - Athletes in the meet will be competing for $97,500 in
prize money. There is $6,500 available in each of the 15 events with
the winner receiving $3,000.
Local Entry - The only Portland entry in the adidas Oregon Track Classic
is distance runner Dan Browne. Browne is running in the men's 3000.
Earlier this month, the former U.S. 10,000m champion, ran a personal
best of 27:41 for 10,000. He has won U.S. championships outdoors,
indoors and on the roads. Browne is a graduate of West Linn High School
and the U.S. Military Academy.
Last Go Around - Four-time U.S. 400-meter champion, 1991 World Champion,
and 2000 Olympic Games 4x400 relay gold medalist Antonio Pettigrew has
announced that this will be his final year. He started his season in
style last week with a win at the Japan Grand Prix meet in a solid time
of 44.72.
Trackwire.com - The Portland based internet site Trackwire.com is
featuring the adidas Oregon Track Classic this week. Erik Palmer has
interviews with Tim Broe and Carrie Tollefson on line with others to
come.
Michael Johnson At Meet - World record holder and Olympic champion
Michael Johnson will be at the adidas Oregon Track Classic. The retired
star will be providing commentary on the ESPN2 broadcast of the meet.
Joining him on the broadcast will be veteran track announcer Larry
Rawson and former American high jump record holder Dwight Stones. The
ESPN2 broadcast will air from 5-6 p.m. Pacific on Saturday.
May 18 in History - The day of the meet is the 22nd anniversary of the
eruption of Mount St. Helens.
Sepeng Sets Sights on National Record - Hezekiel Sepeng, the 1996
Olympic 800m silver medalist, will be trying to break the South African
record at 1000 meters on Saturday. The record is 2:16.00.
Stars & Stripes Track Fair - Track & field Olympians will work with more
than 300 young athletes at the free Stars & Stripes Track Fair. The
clinic starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Olympians Mac Wilkins, Dave
Johnson, Cindy Greiner, Tim Bright, and Kelly Blair-LaBounty are a few
of the athletes who will be instructing at the event. The event is open
to young athletes in grades 5-12. No track and field experience is
necessary to participate.
