7/2/08

EUGENE -- The first of two consecutive off-days at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials seem to have arrived at a welcome time Tuesday, giving athletes and fans time to catch their breath after an exhilarating first four days.

The signature moment of the trials so far -- and possibly the entire 10-day event -- occurred Monday night, when three runners with Oregon ties fed off the pulsating roar from the hometown crowd at Hayward Field for a 1-2-3 finish in the men's 800-meter final to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Whether the moment will be a significant step toward reclaiming the so-called "purity" of track and field, or simply a fun memory amid a cloud of doubt remains to be seen.