U.S. Olympic Trials Have Storied History; 2000 Schedule Set

Anyone who watched the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1988 will remember Florence Griffith-Joyner's sprint to glory. Griffith-Joyner captured America's attention in 1988 in Indianapolis when in the second round of the 100 meters first heat, she clocked an amazing 10.49 to break Evelyn Ashford's world record of 10.76. "You almost had to be here in 1988 when the legend of Flo Jo began," USA Track and Field Media Information Officer Pete Cava said. "It was like nothing anyone had ever seen.

"I remember, I didn't see the race (when she broke the world record but) when I got back up in the press box, one of my staff said, 'Griffith ran a 10.49.' My response was, 'Who is he and so what.' Then I realized that he was talking about Florence Griffith, and the 10.49 just shattered the world record - 10.76 down to 10.49, it was stunning."

The late Griffith-Joyner isn't the only American to grab the world spotlight at the U.S. trials. World records have been set on 53 separate occasions by such legends as Jesse Owens, Bob Mathias, Glenn Davis, Cornelius Johnson, Rafer Johnson, Ralph Boston, Bob Seagren, John Carlos, Dave Wottle, Lee Evans and Bruce Jenner among many others. The only woman to set a world record at a U.S. Olympic Trials was the late Griffith-Joyner.

USA Track and Field has recently announced the schedule and qualifying standards for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, which will be held July 14-23 in Sacramento, Calif. The trials will take place at Hornet Stadium on the California State University. The USATF will host the event in conjunction with the local organizing committee, Sacramento 2000. According to a press release from the USATF, "America's finest athletes including Michael Johnson, Marion Jones, Maurice Greene, Inger Miller, Dan O'Brien, Bob Kennedy, John Godina, Gail Devers, C.J. Hunter, Regina Jacobs, Allen Johnson, Stacy Dragila, Charles Austin, Suzy Hamilton, Anthony Washington and many more will be competing for spots on the U.S. team for the 2000 Olympic Games."

The top three finishers, who have met the Olympic qualifying standards, in each event will earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. NBC will provide eight hours of live network television coverage on the four weekend days. "We've worked to create the best schedule both for a live event and a national television audience," said USATF CEO Craig Masback. "It took a great deal of cooperation from many people and we're very pleased with the result."

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