The Dignity of Track & Field

The sport of track and field connotes a mixture of responses, from a scrap of curiosity to an ardent enthusiasm. The sport has navigated a peculiar path and, over time, harvested a borderline niche audience, except for when the world watches the summer Olympic Games every four years. With the London Games moving into focus this month, it’s an apt time to strip through the history of the timeless sport and identify the underlying premises.

On Sunday, July 1, at Historic Hayward Field, more than 22,000 people sang happy birthday to one of America’s greatest athletes, Carl Lewis. Earlier in the week, the crowd emotionally applauded the most transcendent female athlete ever, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and fought back tears after Ashton Eaton broke the longstanding world record in the men’s decathlon.

Amid all of this emerged a theme that has only marginally been realized; dignity defines track and field.

Superficially, track and field may be nothing more than a modicum of curiosity for the average man, only popping into the mind’s forefront once every four years. But for the modern man, the sophisticated man with a kinship for decorum, track and field provides a lucidly noble showcase, a fresh lens to a world where dignity is not merely a forgotten underpinning, but rather a visceral driving force.

For the modern man, the Olympic trials — and consequently the quickly approaching Olympic Games — serve as a rudimentary reminder of dignity, vaulted by the levels of sportsmanship and gamesmanship, the passion and the fervor, the verve and the audacity.

At Historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, the birthplace of Nike shoes, with images of cofounder Bill Bowerman and the legendary, albeit brazen, runner Steve Prefontaine accenting every corner, the enchantment that is track was rampant.

The culture lends credence to the idea that “Hayward Field Magic” — when the hair on the back of your neck stands as more than 20,000 people rise to their feet to carry the mile-runners through their last lap — rivals the ethos of the Greek ruins, the original “Track Town” and genesis of the sport.

For the modern man, the Olympic trials — and consequently the quickly approaching Olympic Games — serve as a rudimentary reminder of dignity, vaulted by the levels of sportsmanship and gamesmanship, the passion and the fervor, the verve and the audacity.

In the men’s decathlon, the former NCAA champion and University of Oregon student-athlete, Eaton, broke Dan O’Brien’s American record of 8,891 total points set in 1992. Heading into the final event, the 1,500-meter run, Eaton needed to complete the four laps in 4 minutes, 16 seconds to claim the world record.

Duke University’s Curtis Beach, who was also competing, acted as the race’s greyhound, setting a torrid pace, knowing he could be a part of something much greater.

In the dying steps of the race, Eaton caught Beach. The Blue Devil glanced at the time and waved Eaton past, thinking if he was going to break the record, he may as well win the race, too. Eaton crossed the finish line in 4:14.48, etching his name in the record books and his image in the minds of people around the world, not to mention the Wheaties Boxes and Powerade bottles.

Newspapers across the globe featured Eaton’s jubilation as he finished with his hands over his face, catching the tears of joy and accomplishment, along with Beach’s moment of grace in the background.

It was a moment of grandeur, a scene of dignity and beauty.

It’s hard to imagine, however, in an era full of self-absorbed and undignified male athletes, that Beach’s elegance was virtually just another day on the track, a common occurrence for the sport.

The trials in Eugene, more often referred to by its moniker “Track Town U.S.A.,” were littered with some of the most cordial, respectful and down-to-earth athletes America has to offer.

Sprinter Wallace Spearmon, Jr., who should’ve taken the bronze medal in the men’s 200-meter in the 2008 Beijing Olympics but stepped out of his lane, may be one of the sport’s most sophisticated man. He spoke of his passion for children and his friendship with rival Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. Spearmon earned a chance at redemption and a ticket to London after winning the 200-meter final at the trials.

Yet, perhaps the most dignified story — and man — from the Olympic trials was Jeff Porter and his third place finish in the 110-meter hurdles. Porter missed a shot at the Olympic trials four years ago as his father, John, looked on from the grandstands at Historic Hayward Field. It was the last time Porter saw his father alive. Soon after, Porter fled for Europe to continue competing and honing his technique. His eyes set on 2012. Two months later, John Porter passed away.

Porter, emotional in the press conference following the race, used a headfirst dive at the finish line and his late father’s dream to will him onto the American squad, edging out American record holder, David Oliver.

Dignify defines track and field. Anticipate it to be showcased in London soon.