2020 US Olympic Trials Moving To Mt. SAC


After three straight cycles at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, the US Olympic Team Track and Field Trials will move to Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) in Walnut, California, in 2020, the USATF announced Wednesday. 

The USATF board of directors awarded Mt. SAC the 10-day event over bids from Hayward Field in Oregon -- which hosted in 2008, 2012 and 2016 -- and Sacramento State, which hosted this year's USA Championships. 

Mt. SAC is currently undergoing a $62 million upgrade to Hilmer Lodge Stadium -- which moved this year's Mt. SAC Relays to El Camino College -- that will hold 21,000 fans and will be completed in 2019. 

The USATF BODs voted to award the Trials to Mt. SAC based on several factors, including moving to the nation's second largest media market, the historical impact of the sport in the Los Angeles area and Mt. SAC's record of elite performances. 

The 2020 US Olympic Trials will be held from June 19-28. 

"The board was presented with three excellent options for the 2020 Olympic Trials," board chair Steve Miller said. "The board, and especially our active athletes, were clear in their desire to take the Olympic Trials back to Los Angeles. Mt. SAC has long been one of the top meets in the country, from an athlete performance perspective as well as from an organizational perspective. With the stadium upgrades currently planned, we are confident Mt. SAC will provide an extraordinary experience for athletes, fans, officials and volunteers."

In 1960, Mt. SAC's Hilmer Lodge Stadium was the site of the US Olympic Team Trials.

"On behalf of Mt. SAC, we are excited and humbled to be entrusted with hosting the Olympic Trials," Mt. SAC Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Doug Todd said. "Both Eugene and Sacramento have set a very high bar regarding how this flagship event should be presented. We look forward to welcoming the country's best athletes, fans, coaches and volunteers. Working together with USATF and the USOC, we will deliver an Olympic Trials that is worthy of the great athletes who work so hard for the right to compete there."

Los Angeles has long been a destination for track and field talent, but a potential boost may be the city as a current Olympic bid for the 2024 Games. 

"LA 2024 is thrilled to welcome the U.S. Olympic Trials - Track & Field back to Southern California," LA 2024 CEO Gene Sykes said. "Mt. San Antonio College's renovated Hilmer Lodge Stadium will be one of the world's finest track and field venues and the perfect location to host the nation's top track and field event in 2020. We also hope the Trials will be a preview of more Olympic-quality track and field competition returning in Los Angeles in 2024."