A remarkable phenomenon was occurring Saturday at the 26th annual Prefontaine Classic Grand Prix.
And it had nothing to do with fast times, heights or distances.
It was taking place all around the legendary Hayward Field at every moment of the world class track meet.
These people were in awe of the folks they were watching.
They kept saying over and over how impressive it is to watch them all together.
How moving it is to see them up close and make contact with them.
How touched they felt that they could be here to witness them in person.
But what was so astounding was that it wasn’t the 12,508 fans in attendance doing the talking.
It was the athletes themselves.
These future and former Olympians were equally excited to be here for the crowd as the crowd was for them.
“This is the best meet in the U.S.,” said ’96 Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, who coasted to a meet-record time of 43.92 seconds in the 400 meters. “The crowd is just great. It’s a first class meet and it’s great to be able to come to a meet like this in the States.”
The interaction between athlete and fan was special here Saturday. When an athlete would make their victory lap around Hayward with flowers in one hand, they made sure to use their other hand to show their appreciation by way of a wave, a high five or a thumbs-up.
The respect was indeed mutual.
“If I had to pick any place to run, this would be it,” said Gail Devers, who captured the 100 meter hurdles contest in her first race of the season after coming off an injury. “The fans get you so into it. Whether you got nervous jitters or you’re scared or unsure, the fans get you going. I would just be walking back and forth and people would be saying positive things to me. It’s a great feeling.”

One of the most important attributes that Eugene track and field fans have been acclaimed for over the years is their support for all events, not just the running ones.
In no event was that more evident than at the hammer ring on the south side of Hayward at 11:15 a.m. The bleachers for the event was packed to the brim and people were layered six and seven deep all along the fences.
Among the throng of folks lined up along the fence was John McArdle, who used to throw the hammer for Oregon in the late 70s.
McArdle was here, like so many others, to watch Eugene resident Lance Deal perform in his final competition at Hayward before he retires following the Olympics.
McArdle was joined by his seven-year old son, Marcus, and Marcus’ friend Christopher, also seven.
“It’s wonderful to come out here and bring the kids,” said McArdle, who was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team and now is the mayor of Independence. “It’s exciting to see so many people supporting Lance and the sport.”
“I’m having fun,” said Marcus, who was being told by his father that the big man in front of him (Deal) used to live at his house in the early 80s.
Somebody else who was clearly having fun at the meet was Maurice Greene, who took the 200 meter race with a time of 19.93.
Greene said he has always enjoyed running in Eugene and loves the feeling of hearing the crowd clap in unison and roar as he nears the finish line.
“I absolutely love this crowd,” said Greene, who then acted just like all the other fans in the complex when he hurried away from reporters to watch Marion Jones run in the 100 meters. “Oh, wait a minute. I have to watch this race!”
What he saw was Jones dressed up in Nike’s brand new Swift Suit, which was unveiled for the first time at the Pre Classic. “Mrs. Jones” was covered from head-to-toe and looked more like a misplaced speed skater than a sprinter.
Jones took the race with a time of 10.93 seconds, but afterwards she seemed more excited to talk about the fans than of the race.
“You’ve heard me say this so many times before, but these people are so knowledgeable,” said Jones, who also won the long jump competition. “They’re enthusiastic and it’s great coming here. The Pre is one of the best in the world, without a doubt.”
She certainly would get no argument from Khadevis Robinson, the energetic young man who outran a Kenyan trio to win the men’s 800 meters.
“The greatest crowd in America is right here,” Robinson said. “I mean, the motivation you get when you hear them cheering is amazing. When you look at the competition, the fans and the way the meet is put on, it’s easy to say that this is the best U.S. meet.”
Perhaps the only downfall of the event is that it goes by so quickly, making each moment of the love affair between fan and athlete all the more precious.

Just as the Classic was wrapping up at around 1:45 p.m., Greene was still smiling and signing autographs — nearly two hours after his race had completed.
One young girl was eager to share her account of her encounter with Greene.
“I had the fastest guy in the world’s arm around me!” exclaimed Cami Benson, 15, from Beaverton, at the meet’s finish.
Like so many others, Benson had attained a memory of a lifetime.
But what made the moment that much more special was that the memory might not only live on in her mind, but perhaps also in Greene’s.
“It’s fantastic,” Greene said.
Fan-tastic indeed.