Nike Prefontaine Classic

http://www.usatf.org/news/showRelease.asp?article=/news/releases/2003-05-21.xml

Global superstars to compete at Nike Prefontaine Classic
5-21-2003

INDIANAPOLIS – Stacy Dragila, Gail Devers, Kevin Toth, Regina Jacobs, Suzy Favor Hamilton, Savante Stringfellow, John Godina, Cathy Freeman, Ana Guevara and Bernard Lagat are just a few of the top entries who will compete at the 29th annual Nike Prefontaine Classic at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday, May 24. The IAAF Grand Prix I meet, the second event on USA Track & Field’s 2002 Outdoor Golden Spike Tour, will be televised on NBC from 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, May 25.

Now in its fifth year, the Golden Spike Tour provides America’s best athletes the opportunity to compete in the United States and earn substantial prize money in front of a nationally televised audience. For more information on the Golden Spike Tour, visit the USATF Web site, www.usatf.org.

The world’s top three ranked long jumpers will do battle on Saturday as Americans Savante Stringfellow, Dwight Phillips and Miguel Pate go head-to-head. Stringfellow was top-ranked in 2002, is the 2001 World Championships silver medalist and the 2002 World Cup champion. Phillips is the 2003 World Indoor gold medalist, while Pate is a two-time U.S. indoor champion with a personal best of 8.59m/28-2.25.

Among the international highlights of this year’s Nike Prefontaine Classic is the women’s 400 meters, where Mexico’s Ana Guevara, who is currently ranked #1 in the world, will take on 2000 Olympic gold medalist Cathy Freeman of Australia. Guevara dominated the world last year in winning 11 consecutive races, including the IAAF Grand Prix Final, World Cup and a portion of the Golden League Jackpot. A two-time world outdoor champion, Freeman will test herself against Guevara in what should be a battle to remember.

On the men’s side, the Bowerman Mile features many of the world’s top runners as world-ranked Kenyans Bernard Lagat (#2), Laban Rotich (#8) and 2000 Olympic gold medalist Noah Ngeny take on U.S. stars Alan Webb, Michael Stember, Seneca Lassiter and Jason Lunn.

Tickets for the 2003 Nike Prefontaine Classic are $22.50 for reserved seats and $16.50 for adult general admission. Discounts are available for seniors, students and youngsters (2-10). Children under 2 years old are admitted free. Group discounts also are available.

2003 Nike Prefontaine Classic at a Glance (fields subject to change; athletes USA unless otherwise denoted)

Visa Women’s Pole Vault – 1:00 p.m.

THE FIELD: Stacy Dragila, Kellie Suttle, Mel Mueller, Mary Sauer, Jill Schwartz, Thorey Edda Elisdottir (Iceland), Becky Holiday.

THE SCOOP: Outdoor world record holder Stacy Dragila enters the Prefontaine Classic as the most successful athlete in the history of the women’s pole vault. The 2000 Olympic gold medalist and a two-time world outdoor champion, Dragila has won the USA Outdoor Championships six times, and she owns seven U.S. Indoor Championship titles. In winning the 2003 U.S. indoor crown in Boston, Dragila regained the indoor world record with a clearance of 4.78m/15-8.25, only to lose it again when Russian Svetlana Feofanova cleared 4.80m/15-9 at the World Indoor Championships. Joining Dragila in Eugene will be fellow members of the U.S. 15-foot club Mel Mueller, Mary Sauer and Kellie Suttle, who won last Saturday at the adidas Oregon Track Classic with a clearance of 4.41m/14-5.50, under cold, windy and rainy conditions.

Men’s Shot Put – 1:05 p.m.

THE FIELD: Kevin Toth, John Godina, Brad Snyder (Canada), Justin Anlezark (Australia), Reese Hoffa, Christian Cantwell.

THE SCOOP: Following his second career U.S. indoor title in March, Kevin Toth continued his winning ways Saturday with a victory at the adidas Oregon Track Classic. Toth easily won the competition in Portland with a best of 21.21m/69 feet, 7 inches, and he returns to the Nike Prefontaine Classic, where he set a then personal record of 22.19m/72-9.75 in winning last year’s event. At the 2003 Kansas Relays, Toth unleashed the farthest throw in the world since 1990 with a heave of 22.67m/74-4.50. Two-time Olympic medalist and three-time world outdoor champion John Godina will give Toth a strong challenge, as will five-time Canadian champion Brad Snyder and 2001 World Outdoor Championships Team USA member John Davis. Up and comer Christian Cantwell, a senior at the University of Missouri, currently owns the fourth-best throw in the world this season of 21.16m/69-5.25.

Nike Women’s 1,500 Meters – 1:07 p.m.

THE FIELD: Suzy Favor Hamilton, Mardrea Hyman (Jamaica), Sarah Schwald, Courtney Babcock (Canada), Collette Liss, Catherine Berry (Great Britain), Suzy Walsham (Australia), Lena Nilsson (Sweden), Dulce Maria Rodriguez (Mexico), Joland Ceplak (Slovenia), Lisa Nye, Meskerem Legesse (Ethiopia).

THE SCOOP: Three-time Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton is the favorite here after finishing the 2002 season ranked #4 in the world and #1 in the U.S. Favor Hamilton’s 4:25.27 was the fastest women’s mile time in the world in 2002. She’ll face a strong challenge from Mardrea Hyman of Jamaica, who finished third at Eugene last year in 4:15.92. Also look for Sarah Schwald, who placed third (4:11.40) at the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships, and Collette Liss, seventh in the 5000 meters at last year’s outdoor nationals (15:37.87), to give Favor Hamilton a battle.

Men’s 400 Meters – 1:23 p.m.

THE FIELD: Tyree Washington, Leonard Byrd, Derrick Brew, Michael Blackwood (Jamaica), Felix Sanchez (Dominican Republic), Gregory Haughton (Jamaica), Avard Moncur (Bahamas), Aleyne Francique (Granada).

THE SCOOP: 2003 world indoor champion Tyree Washington has the third fastest time in the world this outdoor season of 44.97. Washington leads a talented group of Americans, which includes Derrick Brew, who on May 3 posted the fastest time in the world this outdoor season of 44.83 at Mexico City. Leonard Byrd enters the Pre Classic after ending the 2002 campaign ranked #5 in the world and #2 in the U.S. A Jamaican one-two punch awaits the Americans as the #1 ranked quarter miler in the world Michael Blackwood, and his countryman Greg Haughton, ranked #2 in the world, look to turn the Haywood Field track in Eugene into their own personal playground. Avard Moncur of the Bahamas, the 2001 world champion, is expected to challenge the favorites.

Women’s 100 Meters – 1:32 p.m.

THE FIELD: Torri Edwards, Chryste Gaines, Angela Williams, Kelli White, LaTasha Colander-Richardson, Tayna Lawrence (Jamaica), Juliet Campbell, (Jamaica), Chandra Sturrup (Bahamas).

THE SCOOP: 2003 world indoor 60-meter bronze medalist, Torri Edwards enters this event carrying the momentum following her victory last Saturday at the adidas Oregon Track Classic. She will face Kelli White of the U.S. and Jamaica’s Debbie Ferguson, who share the fastest time in the world this year of 10.97 seconds. After placing second to Marion Jones at Eugene last year (11.00), Tayna Lawrence of Jamaica ended the 2002 season ranked #3 in the world. Other Americans in the field include four-time NCAA 100m champion and two-time world indoor 60m silver medalist Angela Williams, and veteran Chryste Gaines, who ended the 2002 season ranked #4 in the world and #2 in the U.S. Also look for a strong challenge from Chandra Sturrup of the Bahamas, who ended last season ranked #8 in the world.

Women’s 100m Hurdles – 1:40 p.m.

THE FIELD: Gail Devers, Jenny Adams, Melissa Morrison, Miesha McKelvy, Lacena Golding-Clarke (Jamaica), Vonette Dixon (Jamaica) Brigitte Foster (Jamaica).

THE SCOOP: Defending champion Gail Devers returns to defend her title after ending the 2002 season ranked #1 in the world for the seventh time in her amazing career, which includes two Olympic gold medals in the 100 meters in 1992 and 1996. Devers will be challenged by Miesha McKelvy (ranked #5 in the world), who won last week in Portland in 12.93, and was the runner-up to Devers last year in Eugene. Other top Americans in the field include 2001 World Outdoor Championships fifth-place finisher Jenny Adams and 2000 Olympic Games bronze medalist Melissa Morrison. A pair of accomplished Jamaicans will make it tough on the Americans as 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Lacena Golding-Clarke (ranked #7 in the world), and 2002 Commonwealth Games silver medalist Vonette Dixon (ranked #9 in the world) vie for the Pre Classic title.

Men’s 110m Hurdles – 1:47 p.m.

THE FIELD: Mark Crear, Larry Wade, Duane Ross, Ron Bramlett, Micah Harris, Dudley Dorival (Haiti), Robert Kronberg (Sweden).

THE SCOOP: Larry Wade, who ended last year ranked #3 in the world, moves into the favorite’s role following his third-place finish (13.21 seconds) at last year’s Prefontaine Classic. Two-time Olympic medalist Mark Crear will hope to reestablish himself as one of the world’s best after ending last season ranked #5 in the U.S. 2002 NCAA Outdoor champion Ron Bramlett (ranked #6 U.S.) also looks to make some noise in Eugene. 2001 world outdoor bronze medalist Dudley Dorival of Haiti also could challenge the favorites in this race. The University of Oregon’s Eric Mitchum is in the lineup after running a personal best of 13.75 at last week’s PAC 10 Championships in Los Angeles.

Women’s High Jump – 1:52 p.m.

THE FIELD: Kajsa Bergqvist (Sweden)Tisha Waller, Amy Acuff, Gwen Wentland, Karol Rovelto, Nicole Forrester (Canada), Ifoma Jones.

THE SCOOP: The #1 high jumper in the world and reigning world indoor champion, Kajsa Bergqvist of Sweden, will take on America’s best women’s high jumpers in Eugene. Bergqvist, who had a best clearance last season of 2.05m/6-8.75 with her win at Poznan, had five straight meets over the 2-meter barrier in August. The Americans will be led by four-time U.S. outdoor champion and six-time U.S. indoor champion Tisha Waller. An Olympian in 1996 and the bronze medalist at the 1999 World Indoor Championships, Waller also will contend with two-time Olympian and three-time U.S. outdoor champion Amy Acuff. Gwen Wentland, who was the runner-up to Waller at last year’s USA Outdoor Championships and ended last season ranked #3 in the U.S., should also provide a strong challenge.

Nike Women’s 800 Meters – 2:10 p.m.

THE FIELD: Maria Mutola (Mozambique), Regina Jacobs, Jearl Miles-Clark, Diane Cummins (Canada), Jen Toomey, Hazel Clark, Tanya Blake, Sasha Spencer, Brigita Langerholc (Slovenia). THE SCOOP: Mozambique’s Maria Mutola enters the Prefontaine Classic as the reigning world and Olympic champion. The #1 ranked 800m runner worldwide for the last five years, Mutola is a heavy favorite. The world indoor record holder at 1,500 meters (3:59.98), Regina Jacobs returns to Hayward Field, where the 24-time U.S. champion won the 800m at the 2001 USA Outdoor Championships. She is joined by American record holder Jearl Miles-Clark (1:56.40) and 2002 USA Outdoor runner-up Jen Toomey. Miles-Clark’s sister-in-law, 2000 Olympic Trials champion Hazel Clark, also is looking for big things this season after placing seventh at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Up-and-comer Sasha Spencer, who placed third at the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships and seventh at last year’s World Cup, could surprise the favorites on Saturday. Men’s Long Jump – 2:15 p.m.

THE FIELD: Savante Stringfellow, Miguel Pate, Dwight Phillips, Walter Davis, Kevin Dilworth, Hussein Al-Saba (Saudi Arabia).

THE SCOOP: American men are once again the dominate force in the long jump with four ranked in the top ten in the world after last season, and all of them will compete Saturday at Hayward Field. 2001 World Outdoor Championships silver medalist Savante Stringfellow ended the 2002 season ranked #1 in the world after winning his second U.S. outdoor title and the 2002 World Cup crown. Stringfellow will be challenged by the #2 ranked long jumper in the world, two-time defending U.S. indoor champion and 2003 World Indoor Championships bronze medalist Miguel Pate, who won seven outdoor events last season. Dwight Phillips was ranked third last year but is on top of the world after winning the 2003 world indoor crown. The 1999 U.S. outdoor champion, Kevin Dilworth enters this season ranked #7 in the world after a best mark last season of 8.20mi/26-11. Weather permitting, the Prefontaine meet record of 8.38m/27-7 by Joe Greene in 1992 could be in jeopardy.

Verizon Men’s 100 Meters – 2:17 p.m.

THE FIELD: Dwain Chambers (Great Britain), Coby Miller, Jon Drummond, Shawn Crawford, Bernard Williams, Joshua “J.J.” Johnson, Kim Collins (St. Kitts & Nevis), Darrel Brown (Trinidad & Tobago),.

THE SCOOP: The odds-on favorite is Great Britain’s Dwain Chambers, who ended the 2002 season ranked #2 in the world, highlighted by his runner-up 9.87 finish to world record holder Tim Montgomery at the Grand Prix Final. Kim Collins of St. Kitts & Nevis, currently ranked #4 in the world, enters the Pre Classic following his upset win over Maurice Greene last week at the adidas Oregon Track Classic in 10.21. Additional U.S. challengers include 2000 Olympic relay gold medalists Bernard Williams, ranked #6 in the world, and veteran Jon Drummond, who ended last season ranked #10 in the world. Also don’t count out 2001 U.S. indoor 200m champion Coby Miller, who ended 2002 ranked #7 globally, and Joshua “J.J.” Johnson, who was fourth at the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships.

Men’s 5,000 Meters – 2:23 p.m.

THE FIELD: Abdi Abdirahman, Bob Kennedy, Adam Goucher, Nick Rogers, Brad Hauser, Willy Kirui (Kenya), Abraham Chebii (Kenya), Ben Limo (Kenya), Karl Keska, Mike Power (Australia), Ray Hughes, Luke Kipkosgei (Kenya), Shadrack Kosgei (Kenya), Mike Donnelly, Chad Johnson, David Galvan (Mexico), Markos Geneti (Ethiopia), Martin Keino (Kenya/pacesetter).

THE SCOOP: Benjamin Limo of Kenya will make his first ever appearance at the Nike Prefontaine Classic as the heavy favorite after ending the 2002 season ranked #1 in the world in the 3,000 and 5,000 meters. Limo bettered 13:03 four times last year, including a seasonal best of 12:57.24. Fellow Kenyan Luke Kipkosgei will look for his fifth career Prefontaine title, and he holds the meet record of 13:07.83. Defending meet champion Abraham Chebii of Kenya also is in the field following his 3000m victory last Saturday at the adidas Oregon Track Classic in 7:45.21. American record holder Bob Kennedy (12:58.21) is among the U.S. contingent, which includes fellow Olympians Abdi Abdirahman, Adam Goucher, Brad Hauser and Nick Rogers. Kenyan Shadrack Kosgei will toe the line in Eugene after posting the world-leading mark this season of 13:16.47 on April 24. Women’s 400 Meters – 2:45 p.m.

THE FIELD: Ana Guevara (Mexico), Cathy Freeman (Australia), Monique Hennagan, Demetria Washington, Lisa Barber, Tonique Williams, Amy Mbacke Thiam (Senegal), Falilat Ogunkoya (Nigeria)

THE SCOOP: Mexico’s Ana Guevara will compete at the Nike Prefontaine Classic for the first time after ending the 2002 season ranked #1 in the world. The Mexican star won 11 straight races last year, went undefeated in seven IAAF Golden League meets, and won the IAAF Grand Prix Final and World Cup titles. Guevara will face 2000 Olympic gold medalist Cathy Freeman of Australia, who has been ranked #1 in the world on three occasions and won two World Outdoor Championship titles (1997-1999). 2001 world outdoor champion Amy Mbacke Thiam of Senegal also is in the field. Monique Hennagan, who ended the 2002 season ranked #7 in the world (#3 U.S.) will lead the American contingent, which includes Demetria Washington, who placed fifth at the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships, and 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships runner-up Lisa Barber.

Bowerman Men’s Mile – 2:52 p.m.

THE FIELD: Alan Webb, Michael Stember, Ibrahim Aden, Jason Lunn, Seneca Lassiter, Steve Magness, Mike McGrath, Hudson de Souza (Brazil), Bernard Lagat (Kenya), Abdelkader Hachlaf (Morocco), Noah Ngeny (Kenya), Laban Rotich (Kenya), Kevin Sullivan (Canada), Yousef Abdi (Australia), Graham Hood (Canada), David Kiptoo (Kenya-pacesetter).

THE SCOOP: This year’s edition of the Bowerman men’s mile features many of the world’s finest athletes including Kenyans Bernard Lagat (#2 in the world and 2001 World Outdoor 1500m silver medalist), Laban Rotich (#8) and reigning Olympic champion Noah Ngeny. Look for a fast time as Rotich and Ngeny have run metric equivalents of sub-3:50; but Lagat should be the man to beat. National record holders Hudson De Souza of Brazil and Kevin Sullivan of Canada add additional international flavor to the event. Leading Americans include Alan Webb, who ran a blistering 3:53.43 at the 2001 Prefontaine Classic to erase Jim Ryun’s national high school record. Other U.S. stars entered include 2000 Olympian Michael Stember, defending U.S. outdoor champion Seneca Lassiter and two-time U.S. indoor champion Jason Lunn.

For more information on the Nike Prefontaine Classic and the 2003 USATF Outdoor Golden Spike Tour, visit www.usatf.org.

http://www.usatf.org/news/showNewsnotes.asp?article=/news/newsnotes/2003-05-19.xml

Nike Prefontaine Classic broadcast on NBC

USA Track & Field’s 2003 Outdoor Golden Spike Tour (GST) returns to the TV airwaves this weekend with the Nike Prefontaine Classic. The second stop on the GST, the meet will be held May 24 in Eugene, Ore., and will be broadcast on NBC from 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, May 25. Look for a full preview of the Nike Prefontaine Classic this week on www.usatf.org. For more information on all stops of the Golden Spike Tour, visit www.usatf.org

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/05/19/f1.bz.pre.0518.html

May 19, 2003

A run for their money: Nike puts marketing muscle into track classic
By Joe Harwood
The Register-Guard

Tom Jordan knows about competition.

After all, the director of the Prefontaine Classic track and field meet every year delivers some of the world’s top athletes to Hayward Field - where eight of the 20 fastest miles ever run on American soil have been recorded.

Hayward is the spot where two years ago, Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj broke from an elite pack to run the fastest outdoor mile ever in this country. And where last year, inside the track, three Americans for the first time in the same competition all propelled the shot over 71 feet, 10 inches.

While the athletes endeavor on the field, Jordan does battle with costs and revenues, trying to make the meet as attractive as possible while sticking within a $400,000 budget - a relatively puny sum by international track and field standards. His big savior is Portland-based Nike Corp., which backs the event, presses its athletes to attend and this year is covering fully half the expenses.

As in the past, this year’s Pre Classic - set for Saturday - will attract a contentious field of world record holders and Olympic medal winners.

It’s a blend of world-class competition and Nike marketing muscle.

But there is also an emotional connection that runs deep. Nike founder and CEO Phil Knight has long had a soft spot for the University of Oregon and the Pre. Knight got his start at Hayward Field, and he continues to make Nike support of events there a priority.

Jordan is the business brains behind the contest.

The meet is owned by the nonprofit Oregon Track Club, which hires Jordan’s company to run the event. Jordan juggles the hefty costs of putting on the event, and attracting top-notch talent, with a $200,000 sponsorship subsidy from Nike, plus ticket and other revenues.

“It’s a lot bigger deal than a lot of people recognize,” he said.

Travel woes

Getting athletes in and out of the Eugene Airport - with its dearth of commercial flights and the resulting high-priced fares - gives Jordan fits.

“Bring back the 737s and some competition,” Jordan said, referring to United Airline’s decision in January to drop large-jet service at the Eugene Airport. “That would be the greatest assistance for this meet in the future.”

Lamenting the higher cost of flying roughly 150 athletes and their entourages to Eugene from destinations across the globe for what many in track and field consider to be the most prestigious meet in the United States is just about Jordan’s only gripe.

It’s never been cheap to host Eugene’s only major-league pro sports event. And during the past decade, as the caliber of talent competing at the Pre has increased, so have costs. At the same time, Nike has boosted its cash payment to the meet, with most of the increase going toward bigger prize money for the athletes.

“You have fixed costs and a fixed income,” Jordan said. “On the cost side, travel is probably the biggest expense, and this year we are just getting slammed.”

He estimates that air fares are up more than 20 percent compared to last year.

Paul Swangard, managing director of the University of Oregon’s Warsaw Sports Marketing Center, said Nike’s role in helping out is crucial.

“They have brought an infusion of capital and an infusion of enthusiasm to make this event stand out in the international community,” he said.

No big prizes

Unlike International Association of Athletics Federations-sanctioned track meets in Europe, track meets in the United States - the Pre among them - don’t pay appearance fees to top athletes.

In Europe, for example, American Tim Montgomery, the 100-meter world-record holder, might make $100,000 for showing up at an event, Jordan said.

At the Pre, the material rewards are scant in comparison. The event covers the athletes’ travel, food and lodging while they are in Eugene. And the Pre does pay some prize money - for example, $5,000 to each event’s winner.

One reason athletes show up for the Pre is because Nike requires that the track athletes it contractually supports participate in the event, provided they are healthy.

The presence of those Nike athletes helps Jordan recruit other runners, jumpers and throwers from among the best in the world.

“If you’re not in the top 50 in the world, you won’t even be considered (for the Pre), and in recent years it’s been the top 25,” he said. “We’ve had people ranked in the top 10 in the world who haven’t been able to get a lane.”

And it’s the top talent that helps pull in the estimated 11,000 spectators whose ticket purchases cover about a third of the meet’s expenses.

Getting air time

Part of the Pre’s attraction to athletes is the city’s reputation of being the track center of the United States, an aura that existed even before Steve Prefontaine donned his first pair of Nike shoes. Another part is Hayward Field, a venue many consider the Fenway Park of track and field.

“There’s a tradition of great performances and great athletes” at Hayward, said Craig Masback, CEO of USA Track & Field, the national governing body for the sport. “There’s a history of people running well there, and people competing today think they can run well there.”

Masback, a former runner who competed at Hayward, is credited with raising the visibility of the sport in this country. Since taking over the national organization, Masback has increased revenues, lined up blue-chip corporate sponsors and increased television coverage of domestic meets such as the Pre. The meet will be aired by NBC this year.

Track and field events don’t draw huge viewership compared to other sporting events, so USA Track & Field in effect has to buy TV time to televise meets such as the Pre. By contrast, professional baseball or football sell rights to their games to the highest-bidding TV networks.

So, for track and field events, it is the business sponsors who once again save the day. Often, an organization such as Masback’s will provide the footage at no cost to a TV network, while meet sponsors such as Nike, Verizon Wireless or Visa line up to buy advertising slots for when the event is aired. That makes the meet an attractive business proposition for the TV network. In past years, track and field has had to buy the programming time.

Another factor in the Pre’s favor are those 11,000-plus screaming fans who show up each year, most from Eugene, to watch sub-four minute miles live rather than on TV.

“You can’t go anywhere in the country and get in front of a track crowd and have them understand the sport as well,” the UO’s Swangard said. “They care about 800 splits, and that affinity about the sport is a great foundation for the event itself.”

The current era of success started in 1993, when Nike-backed pole vaulter Sergey Bubka showed up and broke 19 1/2 feet. That sparked fan interest and led to habitual sell-outs and broader television coverage.

The Pre is part of a global track tour, and Nike’s requirement that its athletes stop in Eugene for the event “sets the stage for everybody viewing this as the best domestic track meet every year in the United States,” Swangard said.

Pay for performance

The prize money at the Pre is also the highest of any track meet in the country, Jordan said. The extra cash helps top track stars, whose compensation pales in comparison to the multimillion-dollar contracts of many professional baseball, basketball or football players.

First prize in any Pre event is $5,000, second is $3,000 and third pays $1,500. The payouts continue on a sliding scale down to sixth place.

Another incentive is the event’s status as an IAAF Grand Prix meet, in which athletes earn points toward season-ending prize money.

Sometimes the Pre makes money for the nonprofit Oregon Track Club, and other years it doesn’t.

After expenses last year, for example, the club cleared $1,400. Jordan said the average profit is about $13,500. The club pours any profits into community activities such as the annual summertime all-comers meet.

Jordan said the meet is able to keep costs down thanks to the 100 or so local volunteers who turn out each year.

“Most of the staff is volunteers,” he said. “These folks are accountants and professors and students who are doing this for love of the sport.”

CHASING

THE CASH

Income and expenses for putting on the Pre this year

Main income:

$200,000 from Nike;

$145,000 from ticket sales;

$50,000 from sales of T-shirts, posters and other miscellaneous items

Main costs:

About $190,000 for air fare, and for housing and feeding athletes;

$164,500 in prize money for athletes ($11,750 total for each of the 14 events);

$40,000 for renting Hayward Field (includes UO personnel costs)


http://www.usatf.org/news/showRelease.asp?article=/news/releases/2003-05-24.xml

10 world leaders at Nike Prefontaine Classic
5-24-2003

EUGENE, Ore. – The 2003 Nike Prefontaine Classic on Saturday proved why it is the standard-bearer of world-class invitational track meets in the United States, with 10 world-best performances being turned in over the course of the two-hour meet.

The second stop on USA Track & Field’s Golden Spike Tour, the Nike Prefontaine Classic is an IAAF Grand Prix I meet. It will be broadcast nationally on NBC on Sunday, May 25, from 1:30-3 p.m. Eastern Time. Check local listings.

The meet got off to a frenetic start, with the first four events on the track yielding four world-leading marks – often by stunning margins – as 11,097 captivated fans looked on at Hayward Field.

The Nike women’s 1,500 meters set the standard as the first running event of the day. In a three-woman race between Suzy Favor Hamilton of the United States, Jolanda Ceplak of Slovenia and Meskerem Legesse of Ethiopia, Favor Hamilton led narrowly until the final straight. Then Ceplak, the world indoor record holder at 800 meters, powered to the win in 4 minutes, 2.44 seconds for a Slovenian national record. It was the fastest time in the world this year by seven seconds. Favor was second in 4:03.47 with Legesse third in 4:03.96.

Up next was the men’s 400 meters, where 2003 world indoor champion Tyree Washington proved his mettle on the outdoor oval with a world-leading time of 44.70 seconds. Michael Blackwood of Jamaica was second in 45.03, with Greg Haughton of Jamaica third in 45.34.

In the women’s 100m, Kelli White burst out of the blocks and sprinted to victory in 10.96 seconds, improving her own world leader by .01 seconds. 2001 U.S. champion Chryste Gaines was second in 11.03 and 2000 Olympic Trials 400m champion LaTasha Colander-Richardson, stepping down in distance for this season, was third in 11.08. \ The initial barrage of WLs concluded with Brigitte Foster of Jamaica winning the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.45 seconds, a Jamaican national record. Americans Miesha McKelvy (12.51) and Donica Merriman (12.65) were second and third, respectively. In her first race since injuring her right hamstring three weeks ago, Gail Devers led through the first five hurdles before fading to eighth in 13.06.

The world leaders continued a few minutes later. Maria Mutola of Mozambique, the defending world and Olympic champion, opened her outdoor season in grand style, winning the Nike women’s 800m in 1:57.98 for another world leader by two seconds. Jearl Miles-Clark finished second in a U.S.-leading time of 1:58.61, with Diane Cummins of Canada third in 1:59.41.

Kenyan Abraham Chebii brought the Hayward Field to its feet in the men’s 5,000 meters. A final lap of 51.9 seconds propelled Chebii to the win in 13:08.10, a world leader by eight seconds. Fellow Kenyans Ben Limo (13:11.67) and Shadrack Kosgei (13:12.24) were second and third, respectively.

Mexican hero Ana Guevara turned in perhaps the most dominant performance of the meet. Undefeated last season, Guevara kept her streak going by winning the women’s 400 meters in 49.34 seconds to defeat the field by more than a full second. Tonique Williams of the Bahamas was second in 50.39 with Ronetta Smith of Jamaica third in 51.44. Olympic champion Cathy Freeman of Australia placed fifth in 51.70.

The final world leader on the track both came courtesy of Bernard Lagat in the Bowerman men’s mile. The world indoor silver medalist from Kenya came through 1,500 meters in 3:34.47, leading the pack by nearly two seconds. At the finish of the race, Lagat’s 3:50.21 led the world and the field, with Kevin Sullivan of Canada third in 3:53.34 and Alex Kipchircihr of Kenya third in 3:53.73.

The women’s field events saw two world leaders, both by American athletes who defeated the top-ranked women in their events. Olympic and world champion Stacy Dragila won the Visa women’s pole vault with a clearance of 4.62m/15 feet, 1.75 inches, to defeat world #1-ranked Svetlana Feofanova of Russia (4.52m/14-10). American Kellie Suttle was third at 4.32m/14-2.

Defending American champion Tisha Waller fended off world indoor champion Kajsa Bergqvist in the women’s high jump, clearing a world-leading 1.98m/6-6 to Bergqvist’s 1.95m/6-4.75. Amy Acuff placed third at 1.95m/6-5.75.

Among the four events where world leaders were not set, the worst performance was third-best in the world. Kevin Toth won the men’s shot put with a throw of 21.76m/71-4.75. Christian Cantwell placed second with 21.47m/70-5.25, with Canadian Brad Snyder third at 20.54m/67-4.75. John Godina withdrew from the meet with a hyperextended finger.

Competing with a broken left arm suffered five weeks ago, Larry Wade prevailed in the men’s 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.24 seconds to finish ahead of Haitian Dudley Dorival (13.43) and American Ron Bramlett (13.48).

Kim Collins of St. Kitts & Nevis won his second straight Golden Spike Tour Verizon men’s 100 meters with his time of 10.00. He was followed by Darrel Brown of Trinidad in 10.08 and Bernard Williams of the United States in 10.10.

American men continued their 1-2-3 winning ways in the men’s long jump. 2001 U.S. indoor champion Miguel Pate won with a best of 8.27m/27-1.75, but he injured his left knee upon landing on his final jump. The extent of his injury will be diagnosed in coming days. Defending U.S. outdoor champion Savante Stringfellow placed second at 8.23m/27-0, and 2003 world indoor champion Dwight Phillips was third at 8.05m/26-5.

For complete results from the Prefontaine Classic, visit www.usatf.org

ATHLETE QUOTES, Prefontaine Classic

Jolanda Ceplak (SLO), women’s 1,500m winner: “The first 400 was very quick; the second was a little slower. From 800 meters to the last lap, I thought I don’t know if I can do this. It’s so many laps. The last 100, I said, ‘I’m going. I want to win this race.’”

Suzy Favor Hamilton, women’s 1,500m second place: “I’m quite pleased with today. This was my first race since September, and I felt really, really good. I’m only about 80 percent of my fitness right now. In four weeks, I’ll be ready. I wanted to go out fast because this race has a lot of 800 meter runners, and they great kicks. You don’t want to have them sitting on you with 100 to go, and that’s where I found myself.”

Tyree Washington, men’s 400m winner: “To run 44.7 today is good. I still have a lot of things to improve on and critique, but I’m happy. … I think the more I train and compete, the more it’s going to help.”

Kelli White, women’s 100m winner: “I was very ready for this race. This was my first time here at the Prefontaine Classic. My start [was the best part of her race]. I don’t know exactly what happened, but it was good. This gives me a lot of confidence. I’ve never really had a lot of confidence in the 100. To win against this field is great.”

Kevin Toth, men’s shot put winner: “Christian Cantwell got off to a good start, but it didn’t faze me at all. My victory lap was the hardest thing. [In addition to running 400 meters, Toth jumped – and we do mean jumped – over a hurdle.] That’s the farthest I’ve run all year. I wasn’t really pleased with my performance, but I improved what I’ve been doing the last few weeks.”

Gail Devers, 8th, women’s 100 hurdles: “I really don’t know what happed. I was cool for five hurdles. I was off for three weeks doing nothing but rehabbing [her hamstring]. I wanted to come out here and test my leg.”

Brigitte Foster (JAM), women’s 100 hurdles winner: “Technically, it wasn’t a great race. I think I hesitated. I was hoping to run 12.5, so that was good. My start has improved immensely from last year, and I think that’s what made the difference.”

Larry Wade, men’s 110 hurdles winner: “That was a terrible race. I didn’t get out, which is normal for me. Mid-way through, I hit a couple of hurdles. From then on, I knew it wasn’t going to be fast, so I just wanted to win.”

Maria Mutola (MOZ), women’s 800m winner: “I didn’t want to go fast because this is my first race. I haven’t done any speed work heading into the race. I think I could go even faster.”

Jearl Miles-Clark, second women’s 800m: “I felt good. I didn’t know what type of shape I was in, so I came here just wanted to go under 2:00. To run that fast was pretty cool. It’s as fast as I’ve run in a long time, and it’s the fastest I’ve ever run this early in the season.”

Stacy Dragila, women’s pole vault winner: “I knew I needed to be on my toes. I didn’t know how fit Svetlana is. It’s good to go against her this early on, and I look forward to competing against each other at World Outdoors. I’ve got a new coach and I’m working on some pretty major things, technically. [She is now coached by Greg Hull, the coach of men’s Olympic Champion Nick Hyson. Following the World Indoor Championships March 14-16, Dragila moved to Phoenix, Ariz., to train with Hull.] I didn’t feel pressure from her [Feofanova], I felt pressure from myself. We’re working on technical things, and you can’t always jump high when you’re doing that, so I’m happy with the win.”

Ana Guevara (MEX), women’s 400m winner: “I didn’t expect to run this fast. I was really surprised when I looked at the time. I was very excited. I was a little reserved [in the race]. The first 200 was a little hard. I have to say I feel very good. 49 this early in the season is fantastic.”

Bernard Lagat (KEN), men’s mile winner: “The race went good. I wanted 1:53 at 800 meters, and we ran 1:53.7. I was happy Kiptoo kept pushing another 400 meters. I’m really pleased. I wanted 3:50 or better.”