A recent audit has revealed that last year?s U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, which were hosted on campus, left a deficit of about $1 million. This deficit, owed to various local entities by the Sacramento Sports Commission, has mostly been forgiven, however, over $80,000 is still owed to Sacramento State.

The city committee that audited the Sacramento Sports Commission recommended two weeks ago that the city and other entities forgive over $500,000 owed by the commission.The University has not forgiven its loans to the Sacramento Sports Commission and the bulk of the money owed to the University is for the use of Campus Police. The remainder of the money is for use of the University Union.

Frank Whitlatch, spokesperson for University Affairs, said that even though no requests to forgive the loans have been received, the University had no plans to erase the debt and that the Sacramento Sports Commission is still responsible for the money.

However, part of the $1 million debt that the Sacramento Sports Commission has accrued was from expensive upgrades that benefited Sac State. According to the audit, the improvements made to Sacramento State?s track cost $700,000 more than originally estimated.

Because of the improvements to the stadium, the Commission has been awarded the 2001 Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships, to be held in July. The campus will also host the 2003 NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships.

The Commission has even begun raising money for the 2004 Olympic Trials, which were also given to Sacramento. It is the first time a city has been awarded consecutive trials since Eugene, Ore. had them from 1972 to 1980.

Considering everything that the campus gained from the trials, Sacramento State should forgive the debt owed to them by the Sacramento Sports Commission. The debt of $80,000 is a small price to pay for the track improvements and worldwide attention that the trials gave to the campus and Sacramento State. If the campus can continue to hold such prestigious events then the benefit will far outweigh the detriment in the long run.