The top track and field athletes in the country have once againflocked to Sacramento State to compete in the U.S. Olympic Track& Field Trials.

The top three finishers in each event at the trials, which runJuly 9&-18, will compete in August at the Olympics in Athens,Greece.

“You?ve got some people?s dream coming alive and you have theagony of defeat &- and it?s all happening here,” said JonDrummond, who won a gold medal in the 4X100-meter relay at the 2000Olympics.

Sac State is hosting the trials for the second consecutive time.In 2000, more than 187,000 spectators filed through the gates atthe Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex &- making it the highestattended Olympic track and field trials in history.

Lewis Johnson, an analyst for NBC Sports and a semifinalist inthe 800-meters in the 1988 and 1992 Olympic trials, felt is was ano-brainer for the trials to return to Sacramento.

“I remember being here four years ago when we came for the 2000trials,” Johnson said. “The picture I remember in my head wasarriving at the stadium in the car and then looking to the rightand seeing that the place was packed.”

Johnson said there are many factors why the athletes enjoy thetrials at Sac State.

“Everything is organized, planned well and you just feelcomfortable being here at Sac State for the Olympic Trials,” hesaid. “You also want to go to a place where you know you?ll have afan base. You have a hotbed of track and field lovers in NorthernCalifornia.”

Two time Olympic gold medalist Gail Devers, who set the U.S.record in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2000 trials, said Sacramentois always a great place to compete.

“The fans are great, the facility is great and the weather isgreat,” the 37-year-old said after finishing fourth in the100-meter dash finals. “To be honest, I wasn?t even sure if I wasgoing to run at the trials, but I was like ?ok, it?s Sacramento,it?s a great track and great experience, so I am coming back.”

Maurice Greene, the reigning Olympic gold medal winner in the100-meter dash, shared Devers? sentiments.

“Sacramento as a whole is a great, great city,” Greene saidafter finishing first in the 100-meter dash at the trials. “We loveto come here and compete.”

High security

Although no terrorist threats have been made against the trials,there is a high amount of security personnel at the stadium. Fansare required to pass through metal detectors before entering thestadium &- which has resulted in long lines.

Steve Doe, a high school track coach from El DoradoHills, said he doesn?t mind the extra security.

“It?s fine if you follow the directions they give you,” he said.”We?ve kept our backpacks the proper size and brought in smallerwater bottles. (The officers) have been very professional andcourteous.”

Athletes are also dealing with new security regulations, whichthey say have made the event more restrictive.

“One day there?s one rule, they change it overnight and you comethe next day and find it?s something different,” women?s heptathlonwinner Shelia Burrell said. “But the organizing committee has donea great job of keeping us safe.”

Two Hornets participate

Sac State had two athletes attempting to make the U.S. team,Brandon Parker in the men’s long jump and Karmer Furr in thewomen’s triple jump, but both failed to make it past the qualifyinground. Parker finished last with a jump of 6.85 meters and Furr’sjump of 38 feet and one-quarter meters was last among athletes whorecorded a jump.

Despite the low finishes, Sac State Athletic Director TerryWanless said it was really exciting to have two athletes compete atthe trials.

“We sometimes focus only on winning the event, but I think theability just to get here is a tremendous accomplishment,” Wanlesssaid. “I think in both cases there?s a great sense of satisfaction.It?s certainly a great credit to the track program at SacState.”

Future events planned

Sac State is scheduled to host at least three other major trackand field events. The NCAA announced on Thursday that Sac Statewill be the home of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 NCAA Division I OutdoorMen?s and Women?s Track & Field Championships.

Sac State previously hosted the championships in 2003.

“The NCAA felt that the experience we gave the students in 2003was a very positive experience and we managed the meet extremelywell,” Wanless said. “When you add the great weather of Sacramentoand the interest of the track community, they felt it would beright thing to do to bring it back.”

The venue for the 2008 Olympic Track & Field Trials has notyet been announced, but Sac State is expected to be a finalist.