Bring it ON!!! (My Olympic Trials Nightmare/Success)

This pandemic was not exactly on my schedule. 

4 years ago, I attend my first college reunion at the Naval Academy, 30 years after graduation. Not wanting to stay in a sterile hotel, I rent a house with several mates, and have an incredibly delicious time hanging out. 

One of the mates is Mr Ronald J Harris, Esquire. The most decorated Navy runner ever, his racing pinnacle is an incredible 3rd place at the 1996 Olympic Trials in the 5000 meters. In 7th place with a lap and a half remaining, then he turns into a car thief with the cops on his tail. Just high stepping like a drum major when the bell rang with a lap to go. 

Ron has not been back to the Olympic Trials since 1996.

In 2019, I work at the Pac-12 Championships in Tucson, where I meet a diminutive young lady who looked vaguely familiar. This is Joan Hansen, an Olympic FINALIST at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. She is on the same umpire crew as me in Tucson; we become fast friends only after i steal her sunglasses and wear them on my head above my own. 

Joan has not been back to the Olympic Trials since 1984.

Nick: “Hey, do you two want to rent a house for the 2020 Trials?”

Joan and Ron: “YESSSSSSSSSSS!”

I find a place that will sleep 8 people. Close to downtown, 1.5 miles to the track. Easy peasy. 

Covid hits. 

Ok, I’ll reschedule the booking for 2021. 

Rental Company: “We’re doubling your rent.”

Nick: “Dammit.” 

I cancel the booking and look for another one. All I could find was a 4 day rental, and the Trials are 8 days with a 2 day break in between. I grab it, hoping to figure out the back half. As a track umpire, I’ll have a dorm room assigned to me, but my goal is to hang with my non-working track buds. 

A month ago, the meet organizers tell us all tickets will be refunded, and that seating will be severely limited due to distancing. Dammit. 

Tickets were not refunded. They’ve been holding our money for two years. Hmmmm...

Yesterday, meet organizers announce that we’re on. There will be vax/nonvax seating sections, but we’re gonna fill that sucker. Tickets were not refunded because i think the organizers felt like something would change with covid strategy. It did.  

Within 10 minutes of the announcement, i somehow find an available rental for the duration. A cute bungalow within walking distance and half the price i expected. Are you kidding me? I imagine that Eugene hotels and car rental companies were buried under an avalanche of calls yesterday. Meanwhile, I find inexpensive housing and I’ll be driving my own car over. 

Happy boy. 

Let’s play track!!