1. Men’s/women’s hammer throw
Seems like an odd place to start, right? But if you consider the growing popularity of the sport — combined with the fact that it is the opening event for the Olympic Trials — it becomes evident that the hammer won’t get the hype it deserves.
For those unfamiliar with the hammer throw, it involves the tossing of a heavy metal ball attached by wire to a handle. While the event dates far back into Scottish history, its modern version has been monitored by the IAAF (International Association of Athletic Foundations) since 1990. The winner is determined by distance of throw. A men’s hammer weighs 16 pounds while women toss one that’s 8.82 pounds.@@numbers checked@@
This year, the men’s and women’s hammer throw will open the Olympic Trails — but won’t take place in Eugene. Instead, the competition will be held in Beaverton, Ore., at Nike World Headquarters. While the event has a catchy marketing slogan — “Hammertime” — it’s no sure bet to attract a crowd remotely resembling the West grandstands at Hayward Field.
So if you’re in Portland on June 21, or have the means to travel there, check out the hammer throw. You’re sure to learn a few new tips while witnessing the first steps that USA track and field takes towards London.
2. Men’s/women’s 10,000 meters
Oregonians, specifically Eugenians, love distance running. But even for those folks, 10,000 meters is a considerable distance. Simply put, 25 laps around the track is nothing to sneeze at.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t turn out for the event. Why? Because the 10K likely has more twists and turns to offer than any race. It’s an event where even the most catastrophic mistake or strong final stretch can be neutralized with sound race strategy and solid strategic position.
On the women’s side, the U.S. returns two strong competitors: Shalane Flanagan (the American Record Holder in the event and a 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist)@@name and accomplishments checked@@ and Kara Goucher (10,000-meter bronze medalist at the 2007 World Championships and 2008 Olympian).@@checked@@
While the men’s side is more open-ended, there is sure to be several elite runners — maybe even an Oregon Duck or two — vying for a spot in London. If you can stomach a half hour or so glued to your seat in Hayward Field, you’re sure to reap the rewards.
3. Men’s 110-meter hurdles/women’s 100-meter hurdles
Short-distance hurdles may not be the most overlooked category of events, but it’s definitely less of a marquee draw than straight sprints or middle-distance competition.
The men’s 110-meter hurdles is a whirlwind event that displays top-end speed along with incredible agility and timing. Not only is the event an attention-grabber — the U.S. has some world-class talent in event that’s sure to attract the spotlight as well. The field includes up-and-comer Jason Richardson (Gold Medalist at the 2011 IAAF World Championships) pinned against the veteran Terrence Trammell (a Silver Medalist at the Olympic Games in 2000 and 2004).
The 100-meter hurdles represents the women’s counterpart. It packs the same short-lived drama, but will feature a much different group of competitors at Hayward. The field will see Ginnie Crawford (nee Powell, a two-time U.S. national champion in the event) face off with Lolo Jones. You may remember Jones from Beijing — she was favored to win the event in 2008 but tripped on the penultimate hurdle to finish in seventh place. Jones is a two-time IAAF World Champion in the 60-meter hurdles.
4. Triple jump
If you’re familiar with the long jump or high jump and find the events intriguing, the triple jump is your type of entertainment. The event is similar to the long jump but involves an intricate “hop, bound and jump” routine that distinguishes the sport from other field events. In the triple jump, the athlete sprints down a runway in a prescribed manner of footing before projecting himself into a sand pit, with maximal horizontal distance the ultimate goal.
Forget world-class competition — while the triple jump may offer some ground-breaking efforts, its appeal should be aesthetic and historical in nature. The event was a part of the original modern Olympics in 1896 and is truly a unique endeavor in the modern sporting landscape.
5. Javelin throws
While the U.S. may rouse up some considerable competition in the javelin, this is another sport that should appeal to the instinctual sportsman hardwired into your biology. The javelin is one of the most simplistic and well-known field events in Olympic competition, but is often overlooked.
The javelin throw stands not only as an individual event — it’s also included in the men’s decathlon and women’s heptathlon. It involves tossing a spear measuring approximately 8 feet, 2 inches in length. The winner is simply the competitor to toss the spear the farthest. The event doesn’t sound like a spectator sport, but watching a well-thrown javelin can be a mesmerizing experience. When the right combination of factors — speed, angle, force, momentum — come together, the results can be eye-opening.