The first four days of the Olympic Trials for track and field set a remarkably high standard. From the fastest 800-meter time ever posted by an American at Hayward Field to one of the most talked-about third-place finishes to a race. And of course, Ashton Eaton’s truly unparalleled world-record performance in the decathlon. The final four days of competition promises to be just as enticing, with finals — among others — in the 5,000- and 1,500-meter races as well as the entirety of the women’s multi-event competition, the heptathlon.
Day Five
The fifth day of competition in Eugene is highlighted by the men’s and women’s 5,000-meter races, with local favorites Lauren Fleshman and Galen Rupp each qualifying for their final. Also in the men’s field are Lopez Lomong and current Duck Trevor Dunbar. Lomong ran the fastest overall time in qualifying, finishing in 13:42.81.
In the women’s race, Abbey D’Agostino and Julie Culley will get another chance to run against each other after their semifinal heat came down to a difference of less than one second after 5,000 meters. Julia Lucas, Emily Infield and Deborah Maier finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively, in that heat and still clocked faster times than the 15:46.00 Elizabeth Maloy needed to win her semifinal heat.@@names all checked@@
Day Six
The women’s steeplechase and the women’s shot put are the only finals of a day featuring mostly preliminary and semifinal rounds, with competitors in the men’s 200-meter dash and 110-meter hurdles taking to the historic Hayward Field track for the first time. Also on Friday, the women’s heptathlon begins with the first four events in the seven-event competition, namely the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, and 200-meter dash.
Two exhibition events events are also slated for Saturday with some of the fastest high-school milers in the country taking the track at Hayward Field in the Nike High School Showcase scheduled for 2:30 p.m. — the final events before the national anthem.
Day Seven
The penultimate day of competition features the final three events in the women’s heptathlon — the long jump, javelin and 800 meters — as well as the final rounds of the men’s triple jump and 110-meter hurdles as well as the women’s high jump and 2oo-meter dash. Early risers can see the men’s 20,000-meter race walk which begins at 7:30 a.m.
Day Eight
Competition concludes with a full day of events, beginning once again at 7:30 a.m. with the women’s 20,000-meter race walk. It’s the only day of competition to feature only finals and includes high-profile sprinting events, such as the men’s 200- and 400-meter dashes as well as the men’s and women’s 1,500-meter finals.
There is also the possibility of an additional event on the final day of competition, pending the resolution of the third-place tie in the women’s 100 meters.  If neither Allyson Felix nor Jemeba Tarmoh voluntarily vacates their spot on the 100-meter team — a possibility with both runners competing in the 200 meters as well — either a coin flip or a run-off must be conducted before the end of the Trials to determine who goes to London.