International event preparation kicks into high gear

Activity on the UO campus will pick up this month in preparation for the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, which will be held at Hayward Field July 15-24. Picture of Hayward Field

This article first appeared in Around the O on April 18th, 2022.


Activity on the UO campus will pick up this month in preparation for the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, which will be held at Hayward Field July 15-24. 

Crews will soon begin building the broadcast compound on turf field 4 at the corner of Agate Street and East 18th Avenue and erecting additional temporary seating on the north end of Hayward Field.

This is the first time the world track and field championships will be held in the United States. The event will be among the largest sporting events in the world with an anticipated global television audience of one billion. During the 10-day competition, the event will bring in more than 2,000 athletes and 3,000 members of the media. Each day, more than 20,000 fans, volunteers and organizers will visit campus.  

Faculty and staff from across the UO are busy with operational planning for WCH Oregon22. Under the leadership of the local organizing committee, Oregon22 LLC, university experts are leading efforts in plans for parking, transportation, information services, technology, safety and security, cybersecurity, venue planning, ticketing, and more, while maintaining a focus on campus continuity. In addition, faculty and students will be involved in research and educational activities leading up to and throughout the event’s 10-day run.

“Hosting the event at Hayward Field provides an unprecedented opportunity to showcase how the university continues to evolve and innovate in the pursuit of excellence in education and research,” said Carlyn Schreck, assistant vice president for presidential initiatives in the Office of the President. “Leading up to and during the championships, the university’s top priority will remain serving students and fulfilling the core mission of teaching, research, and service.” 

To keep the campus community informed, the university is sending regular email updates about planning, events, campus impacts and resources to faculty members, staff and students. A new website will also feature maps, stories and frequently asked questions about operations, events, research and educational opportunities related to WCH Oregon22.

The athletics competition will take place primarily at Hayward Field, but event activities and operations will take place across the UO campus. Maps on the new website show the event footprints for the main campus and Autzen Stadium complex.  

Many event operations, such as those for broadcasting and media, volunteers, medical personnel, athletic training, meetings and fan services will be based in buildings and outdoor spaces surrounding Hayward Field. The marathon and race walk venues will be headquartered at the Autzen Stadium complex. 

The Erb Memorial Union will host the Track & Field Heritage Exhibition of the Museum of World Athletics, beginning June 23, which will be free and open to the public. The EMU will also still be accessible to the public. 

UO residence halls will become an athlete village where athletes and team members will stay, eat and socialize. This is the first time an athlete village will take place at a World Championships. Summer term students will continue to have priority access to residence hall space outside the athlete village. 

Visit the new website for the latest university WCH Oregon22 news and information. Find information about tickets, competition schedules and past events on the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 website


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