There was disappointment at the crowds for last year's World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, but Bolt thought that next year's Paris Olympics could be a special moment for the sport.
"Sometimes it's all about where it is, America is not the biggest track and field place," he said.
"I think Paris will be big, because it's accessible and I know Paris always has a good team and good athletes over the years. So I look forward to that."
Yes, he means that North America is not the biggest track and field place.
Bolt is just saying what everybody knows - Eugene is a backwater. Without Nike and the University history (Pre) it would be the last place anyone would go for just about anything.
Tracktown America needs to be moved elsewhere for the sake of the sport. At least indoors Boston is a major city accessible from pretty well anywhere.
Who on earth wants to visit Eugene.
U of O is bought. I bet a location in California will one day take over as America's T & F town.
The old Hayward made meets special with the history, energy and set up. The new one is beautiful but takes away from what made Eugene worth the effort.
The old Hayward made meets special with the history, energy and set up. The new one is beautiful but takes away from what made Eugene worth the effort.
On the TV broadcast, all they could talk about is the illustrious history and that freaking tower. What is the point of the tower anyway?
Hayward field is a great place to watch track! Eugene is a very nice city, great food! I would hope that all big meets are at Hayward field! I live 2 & 1/2 hours away!
We literally could not find a place to eat in Eugene after a session of the worlds last year. Everything was closed. Been there 3 times, for the 2012 trials, the world juniors and last year’s worlds. Never again. Tough to get too, expensive and not a pretty place at all. If you think you’re a major sport, then you need to be in a major city and market it correctly.
Wow, track is more popular in Europe. Such a controversial statement.
It always has been.
The USA has population, but no track and field popularity. Its one of th ereasns Mondo bailed.
The only real issue for me is thet the USA seems to want to claim premier position in the decision making. Why would a country that can't raise the popularity and financial success in its country, expect to do that in the world?
It's too bad Colorado is at altitude. The Folsom Field stands were absolutely full for the Bolder Boulder elite 10K races on Memorial Day. They would host the best meets.
The old Hayward made meets special with the history, energy and set up. The new one is beautiful but takes away from what made Eugene worth the effort.
On the TV broadcast, all they could talk about is the illustrious history and that freaking tower. What is the point of the tower anyway?
The U.S. has no density. In Europe you can get from London to Paris in an hour (or at least pre-Brexit). I didn't even go to the LA Grand Prix because with traffic it would be an hour and a half drive each way and the tickets were priced for bundling and I only could go one afternoon. When Shacari dropped out of the final, I was glad I didn't go through the trouble.
I agree with Bolt. I have been attending Worlds since 2007. One in Eugene I decided not to attend. It was a crap place to visit and I wasn't going to put myself thru the annoyances. I am going to Budapest instead.
The U.S. has no density. In Europe you can get from London to Paris in an hour (or at least pre-Brexit). I didn't even go to the LA Grand Prix because with traffic it would be an hour and a half drive each way and the tickets were priced for bundling and I only could go one afternoon. When Shacari dropped out of the final, I was glad I didn't go through the trouble.
I would totally go through a lot of trouble to go to the Diamond league in Florence though and I wouldn't care who showed up. Cause Florence is enough of a draw.
The tower was included because the designers noticed that so many European tracks had a tower. But you can't go in it. It has offices inside so it is only for the special.
Did you see Eugene for the 2-3 meets last year? Diamond league and trials empty stadiums. Eugene sucks. It has history but it sucks. No places to stay no airport and no fans anymore. Time to move on
Time to move on... they just invested 300 million into the place. We're not moving on anytime soon