FINAL COUNTDOWN TO U.S. OLYMPIC TRACK AND FIELD TRIALS BEGINS

Eight-day ticket packages enable fans to see entire world-class show

It’s less than six months until the starter’s gun fires for the first race of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Sacramento. Already more than 10,000 fans have taken off running, purchasing eight-day ticket packages for the July 9-18 event.

The 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials drew more than 187,000 fans, shattering the previous attendance record on the seventh of eight days of competition. That unparalleled support was one of the main reasons Sacramento was awarded the 2004 Trials.

And it’s all the more reason to join the growing crowd in getting a jump on tickets this time around. Affordable eight-day ticket packages are available to fans wanting to see the world-class event that determines the U.S. men’s and women’s Olympic track teams for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

The U.S. Olympic Trials is considered one of the greatest track meets in the world, and Sacramento is the first city to host successive Trials in a quarter-century. Don’t be left in the starting blocks – outside the stadium gates.

The field will be the strongest assembled on American soil since the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials were held on the same sizzling track surface at Sacramento State. Marion Jones, winner of an unprecedented five Olympic medals in 2000, will be back. So will Stacy Dragila, Maurice Greene, Allen Johnson and Gail Devers – four other Olympic champions who must perform up to speed in Sacramento to earn their Greek passports.

Ticket sales are ahead of the record-breaking pace set in 2000. Twelve of the 18 sections on the finish-line side of Hornet Stadium are sold out. But it’s not too late to beat the gun and purchase top seats for the 2004 Trials. The following ticket packages offer a wide range of seating options for all eight days:

• Champions’ Club: The only seats with chair backs and beverage holders, located on the shaded (finish line) side of the stadium. These premium seats are selling quickly. $600.
• Gold Medal Package: Seats along the finish line and homestretch on the west side of the stadium. $240.
• Silver Medal Package: Reserved seating with excellent midfield views of the field events and unobstructed views of the finish line. $160.
• Bronze Medal Package: Sideline location near the long and triple jump runways. $140.
• Family Package: Admits up to two adults and three children for all eight days in reserved seating along backstretch. $360.

The prices for each of these eight-day packages increase on May 15, so it’s best to buy now. Four-day ticket packages will go on sale in early April. Ticket forms are available at www.sacsports.com or by calling (916) 566-6560.

Read a day by day breakdown of the schedule.