Hayward Field
The World Athletics Championships began in 1983 in Helsinki, Finland, and have produced some of the greatest moments in sports history.
Now, it’s up to the local organizing committee (LOC) for the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 to deliver the most unique track and field event in World Athletics history.
When WCH Oregon22 kicks off on July 15 and finishes July 24 at the reimagined Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, it will be the first time the World Athletics Championships will be held on U.S. soil.
“Our event will be held in glorious Oregon, one-of-a-kind Eugene, and storied Hayward Field,” said Oregon22, LLC CEO Sarah Massey. “Our strategy and culture guide us in everything we do and will help us succeed in delivering an unmissable event.”
While there are always hurdles that an LOC faces in the final months leading up to the World Championships, our team is also embracing the opportunities before it. The organizational mindset the LOC operates under cultivates the following shared values:
- Athlete inspired at every turn
- Celebrate world diversity in all that we do
- Resourceful and sustainable whenever possible
- Progressive in design and delivery of our event
“This has a powerful influence over what we attempt to do, what we learn, and our ultimate success,” Massey said.
Having the event at the reimagined Hayward Field at the University of Oregon and in Eugene, which calls itself “Track Town USA,” will give WCH Oregon22 an unbeatable flavor and spirit. The reimagined setting provides a more intimate environment for athletes and an optimal fan experience that includes padded seats and unobstructed sightlines throughout the stadium, which is dedicated for track and field, unlike other venues that have hosted previous World Athletics Championships. The stadium capacity is being augmented for the Championships with temporary seating being added with grandstands at the north end of Hayward Field.
Part of WCH Oregon22’s brand literature proudly states:
“For so many, this is the heart and home of track and field. To think Hayward Field is to think history, innovation, and inspiration, because legends race to compete here. Hayward is loud and fanatical because hearts beat louder here, it feels different here, because there is magic in this place.”
The LOC plans to add to that magic this summer, and its success will be measured through the achievement of four basic goals once the event concludes:
- Organized an unmissable heart and home World Championships
- Prioritized the unity of diversity and world participation
- Maximized visibility and digital engagement to achieve record breaking exposure
- Optimized resources and partnerships to achieve outstanding results as effectively as possible
“We want to be an inspiring leader and voice for igniting long lasting change in both mindset and behavior,” said Oregon 22, LLC COO James Tolputt. “We are aiming to be the new blueprint for the hosting of major sports championships in the future.”
Sustainability is a core operating principle for the LOC, with sustainability viewed in two primary pillars: environmental sustainability and social sustainability. As part of the effort to drive change, Oregon 22, LLC is developing and executing a robust sustainability strategy that builds on the already established sustainable practices for which the state of Oregon is known.
Growing the sport of track and field in the United States is another key mission of the LOC. One way this is being accomplished is through Making Tracks, a youth engagement program. Through the Making Tracks website, educators, youth program leaders, coaches, and families can find a collection of informative resources, lesson plan ideas, and activities that use a variety of subject areas to explore WCH Oregon22 with youth. Making Tracks is also inviting schools, youth program groups, or youth track teams to help welcome the world to Oregon by taking on a leg of the World Wide Welcome Youth Relay (WWW).
Each leg of the relay will be dedicated to one of the 200-plus global track and field teams that will be making their way to WCH Oregon22. Groups are assigned a nation to welcome; receive a relay leg kit including an official WWW relay baton, banners, and flags; and have the chance to submit a welcome message for their paired nation that will be shared with athletes in the athlete village at WCH Oregon22.
Along with elevating the sport of track and field, highlighting the state of Oregon is also especially important to event organizers, who are partnering with groups such as Travel Oregon and Travel Lane County to help promote and highlight the beauty and glory of the state.
Digital transformation and having a strong brand are two of the key strategic initiatives for Oregon22, LLC.
More than 2,000 athletes from more than 200 nations will be competing in the 10 days of competition at the WCH Oregon22, which is expected to draw a global audience of 1 billion with more than 6,500 hours of television coverage dedicated to the event.
By Ashley Conklin
