1 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:06,160 This episode of the City of Smack podcast is presented by Ex 2 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:07,960 Endurance. If you're training hard, you 3 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:11,480 already know those feelings. Heavy legs, the lactic acid 4 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:13,960 burn, soreness that lingers longer than should. 5 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:16,880 That's where Ex Endurance is. 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So you can check it out at 17 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:55,360 xendurance.com and use code Sidious for 25% off your first 18 00:00:55,360 --> 00:00:58,160 order. That's xendurance.com, Code 19 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:00,920 Sidious for 25% off your first order. 20 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:06,840 What's up everyone? You are listening to the CDs Mag 21 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:08,880 podcast. I'm your host Chris Chavez, and 22 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:11,240 every week we go beyond the results to bring you 23 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:14,200 conversations with the biggest names on the track, the roads, 24 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:17,040 and behind the scenes, from world class athletes and coaches 25 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:20,600 to innovators shaping the sport. If it's happening on the track, 26 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,520 we're covering it with real insights that sharpen minds, 27 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:27,040 deep dives into the moments that define careers and the kind of 28 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:30,040 access to the pros you won't get anywhere else. 29 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:33,640 So let's get into it because we love track and field. 30 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:39,200 It's official, folks. The 2028 US Olympic Marathon 31 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:43,520 Trials have a home. On March 25th, 2028, St. 32 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:47,240 Louis, MO will host the first Olympic team selection event of 33 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:51,400 the LA game cycle and the city is bringing some history with 34 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:54,960 it. It was in Saint Louis 124 years 35 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:58,080 ago that the first Olympic marathon was ever contested on 36 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:01,880 American soil and that was run at the 19 O four games. 37 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,760 If you haven't heard stories about that one, you can either 38 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:07,960 one wait for my book next year or two. 39 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:11,200 Give it a quick Google or a search on YouTube. 40 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:15,080 Pretty wild stories. Now the trials are coming back 41 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:18,000 to a city that has been waiting a long time to say it was 42 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:20,520 America's first Olympic city and means it. 43 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:24,800 The proposed course will start at Washington University, the 44 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,200 site of that nineteen O 4 Olympic Stadium. 45 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:30,760 It will wind past the Gateway Arch and Busch Stadium, and it 46 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:35,440 will finish inside Energizer Park, the 20,000 seat home of 47 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:38,560 the MLS club Saint Louis City SC. 48 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:42,680 That finishing stadium detail is significant because it would be 49 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:45,720 something that hasn't been done at a trials before. 50 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:48,840 It's the image that the organizing committee keeps 51 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,040 coming back to when they describe what they want people 52 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:52,960 to remember. They want to pack that thing, 53 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:58,080 20,000 fans watching folks make their Olympic trials and Olympic 54 00:02:58,080 --> 00:03:01,280 dreams come true. So to find out how Saint Louis 55 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,680 beat out Phoenix for the bid and what the plan actually looks 56 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:07,600 like, I sat down with three of the people behind it. 57 00:03:07,920 --> 00:03:11,160 We've got Mark Schreiber, the president of the Saint Louis 58 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:14,400 Sports Commission and the operational lead on this effort, 59 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:17,640 Jackie Joyner Kersey, one of the greatest athletes this country 60 00:03:17,640 --> 00:03:21,200 has ever produced and the Co chair of the organizing 61 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:25,520 committee, and Max Siegel, the CEO of USA Track and Field. 62 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:28,280 We also get into a couple questions I had about the 63 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:32,360 standards, the ones that were creating so much buzz and 64 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:36,120 confusion leading into Paris and what USATF is doing to make sure 65 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,920 that the story on race day in Saint Louis is clean and simple. 66 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:43,200 Three men and three women cross that finish line and get to go 67 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:45,560 to the games. If you want to learn more, you 68 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:48,680 can read my article now up on sidiousmag.com. 69 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:52,720 But for now, let's learn more about the 2028 US Olympic 70 00:03:52,720 --> 00:03:54,520 Marathon Trials coming to Saint Louis. 71 00:03:54,520 --> 00:04:07,120 I guess I'll start with Mark 72 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:11,440 because there was a. It was down to Saint Louis and 73 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:14,240 and Phoenix and Saint Louis gets it. 74 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:17,360 What do you think? Ultimately, I think tipped it in 75 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:18,920 your favor. And then at the same time, like, 76 00:04:18,920 --> 00:04:21,760 what are you most excited about? We're ecstatic. 77 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:27,760 This it's, it's such a wonderful thing for Saint Louis to have 78 00:04:27,840 --> 00:04:30,960 the marathon trials coming. It's such a great fit. 79 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:35,760 And yeah, the, the question of what put it over the top. 80 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:39,920 I mean, obviously I'd, I'd, I'd want to have Max and, and others 81 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:44,280 answer that. But we were very proud of the 82 00:04:44,280 --> 00:04:49,880 bid we submitted. And what I'd like to think rises 83 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:56,840 to the top is the story and the vision that we had for the we 84 00:04:56,840 --> 00:05:01,880 have for the event. And that's everything from our 85 00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:06,120 Olympic legacy, which is very meaningful, to our community as 86 00:05:06,280 --> 00:05:09,720 being America's first Olympic city. 87 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:11,960 It's something we don't take for granted. 88 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:15,600 And we emphasize all the time to our region, how important that 89 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:19,520 is and when you can make that connection to say this is a 90 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:23,760 community that cares about its place in the Olympic movement 91 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:29,000 and we want to celebrate that by doing major Olympic events like 92 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:33,520 Olympic trials. I I think that resonates. 93 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:37,400 And then just the vision for the event, the idea of being able to 94 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:42,440 start at Washington University, the site of the 19 O four games, 95 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:47,800 our oldest most venerable sports venue, and then be able to 96 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:52,680 finish it at Energizer Park. Our our newest jewel, our 97 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:58,320 newest, most venerable sports facility in the region that we 98 00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:03,880 hoped that that came across as something special to USA track 99 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:08,160 and field. And so you know that the spirit, 100 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:15,600 the collaboration locally with Go Saint Louis or or Marathon, 101 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:20,360 you know, and, and just the partners involved, you, you 102 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:24,640 throw that all together, a community that really cares and 103 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:28,400 was just excited and passionate. I think all that you know 104 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:32,680 hopefully rises to the top and hopefully is evident to to our 105 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:37,120 colleagues at USATF. All right, over to Jackie now. 106 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:39,120 I guess you're one of the greatest athletes that this 107 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:43,480 country has ever produced and thank you East Saint Louis like 108 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:46,880 is, you know, standing on top of the podium at so many of these 109 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:49,320 great stages of the sport. I guess what does it mean to you 110 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:52,920 to I guess let now personally have and Olympic team trials 111 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:57,600 come home to this region. You know, I, I think it's a, 112 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:04,720 really a compliment to the local organizing committee, one to put 113 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:09,640 the athletes first. I think when you look at the 114 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:14,880 competitors or the, the Midwest is a good location, easy to get 115 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:17,240 to. And then also when I think of 116 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:21,320 the conditions, I'm just adding to some of the things what Mark 117 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:26,320 was saying about what could have taken them over the the edge, 118 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:29,800 you know, because I think both candidates were great. 119 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:35,080 But for me as an athlete and competing this time of the year, 120 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:37,640 and you know, we can't control what Mother Nature is going to 121 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:44,840 going to do, but to be an athlete Once Upon a time and and 122 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:50,160 to be from the area, it's just a moment of celebration to be able 123 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:53,400 to experience something that you would never forget. 124 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:58,160 And then also for it to be somewhere in in my backyard 125 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:01,480 where I grew up and just to play a small part of that. 126 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:08,320 I am very I'm very honored. But it is really some special 127 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:12,840 for the athletes that's going to be trying to become Olympian. 128 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:17,000 So who already been Olympians, but then also a generation of 129 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:20,360 young people to be to host something right here in the 130 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:25,240 Saint Louis area. And then also to be able to 131 00:08:25,240 --> 00:08:30,080 connect the connection to the history of what Saint Louis has 132 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:34,720 had has always offered to the sport of athletics. 133 00:08:35,039 --> 00:08:39,480 But more importantly, that these athletes would be my it's my 134 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:43,000 hope they would be overwhelmed, but not to the point that they 135 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,480 don't do what they supposed to do in making that Olympic team, 136 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:48,520 these Olympic trials. Yeah, Jackie, I guess like if 137 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:51,960 anyone on this call you know better than anybody just how 138 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:55,760 brutal sometimes the trials can be, it's one shot top three or 139 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:59,120 or nothing, I guess. What do you want the runners who 140 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:02,040 are showing up to Saint Louis to know about the community that's 141 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:03,240 going to support them on that day? 142 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:07,840 You know, it's my hope that they would feel the the warmth of the 143 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:11,600 the region, you know, and to know that everyone here is 144 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:15,040 pulling for them because they realize and understand how 145 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:19,000 important this day is because again, you only have one shot at 146 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:21,680 it. And that people from all walks 147 00:09:21,680 --> 00:09:26,760 of life would come from all over and trying to support that one 148 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:30,640 individual or those who might not have anyone that's in the 149 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:33,320 trial. Just getting the, the support of 150 00:09:33,320 --> 00:09:37,720 the community is going to be outstanding because the Midwest 151 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:42,840 is always, you know, warm and, but then also coming to to the 152 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:48,040 city that we want them to explore, experience, you know, 153 00:09:48,040 --> 00:09:51,520 the culture, the food, the entertainment and the 154 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:53,720 entertainment come after that, you know, make the team. 155 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:58,400 But you know, before that, it's really, it's, it's just going to 156 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:03,760 be not it's, it's going to be exciting not just for us who are 157 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:07,160 not competing at these Olympic trials, but more importantly, 158 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:11,400 it's really about celebrating all these athletes that's going 159 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:14,680 to come from all over trying to make an Olympic team. 160 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:16,440 That's what this is really about. 161 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:20,080 All the other things. It's great, you know, but more 162 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:23,880 importantly, it wanted me to say I had the best experience 163 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:29,920 competing in Saint Louis on 2028, made my Olympic team. 164 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:34,520 You know, I can always remember all my Olympic trials and you 165 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:38,680 know, I never forget. New Orleans is 100°. 166 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:46,320 We start to have talent at 12:00, but still all those kind 167 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:49,280 of things. You remember, you know, and how 168 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:51,400 the people were there pulling for you. 169 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,720 All right, Max, how did we get to this decision? 170 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:58,600 Wow. Well, first I want to say that 171 00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:01,760 it is a privilege for USA Track and Field to have communities 172 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:04,760 across the country interested in our properties. 173 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:10,560 And so that makes the decision and the process difficult, you 174 00:11:10,560 --> 00:11:12,440 know. And so first of all, we have a 175 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:17,200 great team that evaluates every one of the bids and the sites so 176 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:19,240 they meet these technical specifications. 177 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:22,280 So once we do that filter and then you have these finalists, 178 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:26,440 it is about, you know, are the teams coordinated? 179 00:11:26,440 --> 00:11:28,720 Do you feel that you have a good partner to collaborate? 180 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:31,800 Is the passion there? What are the things that are 181 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:35,680 going to make the athlete experience the most memorable? 182 00:11:35,680 --> 00:11:39,320 As Jackie said, and and we we we have the privilege of working 183 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:42,000 with organizations across the country. 184 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:45,040 And when you see the coordination and you see a 185 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:47,400 partner that wants to collaborate and understands 186 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:50,440 everything from all rolling up your sleeves and what happens 187 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:54,360 behind the scenes to get in the community engagement, it's, it 188 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:57,520 is something that you think about and, and Mark and Jackie 189 00:11:57,520 --> 00:12:00,400 could be anywhere in the country and they choose to be in Saint 190 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:02,600 Louis and they're ingrained in the community. 191 00:12:03,280 --> 00:12:07,960 And I think our team was so excited about the energy with 192 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:10,600 everyone that we met. And so I'm looking forward to 193 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:12,360 it. I, you know, I've had the 194 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:15,280 privilege of being in Indianapolis a lot, you know, 195 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:18,680 and from the Olympic trials back in the day to the Final Four or 196 00:12:18,680 --> 00:12:21,400 to the Super Bowl, you just know, you feel it when when you 197 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:24,440 have partners who are both emotionally and financially 198 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:26,560 invested in it and have a passion for it. 199 00:12:26,560 --> 00:12:29,440 So we, we couldn't be more excited to partner with it. 200 00:12:29,560 --> 00:12:32,680 And on top of that, all the historic stories, I mean, this 201 00:12:32,680 --> 00:12:35,240 is just, this is wonderful. Yeah. 202 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:37,760 So Mark, I guess like that's kind of been, it brings me to 203 00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:41,120 just sort of this other part to hosting like the Olympic trials, 204 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:42,840 right. Like it's it's a costly thing 205 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:45,560 for some of the cities over the last couple years. 206 00:12:45,560 --> 00:12:48,800 I guess what are you guys doing and differently maybe this time 207 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:51,760 around or building, you know with the local organizing 208 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:55,240 community to I guess like have the funding to really pull this 209 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:56,720 off? Yeah. 210 00:12:56,720 --> 00:12:59,880 No, that, that's a great question, Chris. 211 00:12:59,880 --> 00:13:03,080 And, and something, you know, early on in the process, we had 212 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:08,400 to make sure that a bid was viable. 213 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:16,080 And you know, fortunately we have gotten a great boost from 214 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:20,360 several local partners. And you know, that that I think 215 00:13:20,360 --> 00:13:25,520 is going to hopefully be a, a common theme that you will find 216 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:30,800 in Saint Louis is, is the passion and enthusiasm for this, 217 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:35,600 not just from just the fan standpoint, but our business 218 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:39,840 community, our our political community as well. 219 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:46,000 You know, and, and so we, we have to go through a great 220 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:53,400 effort to make sure that we've got the resources in place to do 221 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:55,840 a heck of a job producing the event. 222 00:13:55,840 --> 00:13:59,840 But we're off to a great start. And we're lucky to have, you 223 00:13:59,840 --> 00:14:04,680 know, somebody like Lao Carson Bai was the CEO of Emerson and 224 00:14:04,680 --> 00:14:10,200 Emerson step, step, Step forward already with a significant 225 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:15,320 contribution to the effort. And several other entities have 226 00:14:15,320 --> 00:14:19,200 done the same. And that was, you know, as we're 227 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:21,680 in the process of preparing the bid. 228 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:26,280 And that gave us the faith that that we could go forward and 229 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:31,280 feel good from a fundraising standpoint, that that we can get 230 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:36,760 to a point where where we will execute the event at a high 231 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:40,080 level. And, you know, it's also 232 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:47,760 gratifying to see the interest from Energizer Park and the 233 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:50,000 soccer team, Saint Louis City, SC. 234 00:14:51,240 --> 00:14:56,760 You know, they're not just doing this to stage the, the, the, the 235 00:14:56,800 --> 00:15:00,640 end of the trials. They're doing it because they 236 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:04,840 have a magnificent facility and they built that facility to 237 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:09,960 leverage soccer as a way to present and promote Saint Louis 238 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:14,800 to the country and the world. And the same goes for hosting 239 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:17,200 the trials there. They, they see it very much the 240 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:20,080 same way. And so you have, you know, you 241 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:23,840 start looking across the board and, and you have many 242 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:28,280 supportive partners that are going to be able to help us from 243 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:32,120 a financial standpoint to not just make it, you know, it's not 244 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:36,760 just the artistic part, but the financial part, you know, we 245 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:41,280 feel positive about. It's not easy, but we feel good 246 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:46,120 about where we are right now. 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Code Sidious Mag 20. 301 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:15,800 Yeah, I think in the RFP, USATF projected 13.5 million in 302 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:19,440 economic impact for for the local organizing committee. 303 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:22,880 And then you guys I think from what I read was 20 million I 304 00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:25,880 think from figure skating, like not that not that long ago. 305 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:28,520 So what I guess are some of the learnings that you guys have had 306 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:33,040 from hosting events in hockey, gymnastics, figure skating, and 307 00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:36,440 when was that turning point sort of where Saint Louis turned into 308 00:19:36,440 --> 00:19:40,080 like this corner for major, you know, sporting events? 309 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:45,720 I'd like to say it was a long time ago and that that's that's 310 00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:48,600 due to many people that have come before me and Jackie can 311 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:54,680 attest to this. But, you know, it's almost, I, I 312 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:58,520 feel like we've been reinvigorated because we had, 313 00:19:58,520 --> 00:20:02,240 you know, the, the 90s and 2000, you know, forgive me because 314 00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:05,080 I'm, I'm like going off on a tangent here, getting into like 315 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:08,720 sports Commission history and the competitiveness of our 316 00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:12,200 industry that, you know, Saint Louis is a place in, you know, 317 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:14,440 the 90s. We hosted the the the Big 12 318 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:18,920 Football Championship, the US Olympic Festival, Jackie's 319 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:23,440 farewell track meet in 98, which we can come back to later, but 320 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:27,960 the final four. 2005 S Saint Louis has long been this great 321 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:32,640 sports event destination. The challenge for us is our 322 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:34,680 industry has become so competitive. 323 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:38,840 And so when I talk about being reinvigorated, it comes from 324 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:43,880 there's just great momentum of late for Saint Louis that we we 325 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:49,040 hosted the the NCAA Frozen 4 last spring, the US Figure 326 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:53,040 Skating Championships in January, the men's basketball 327 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:55,880 first second rounds in March, and now this fabulous 328 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:59,760 announcement. And you know, we, we learn from 329 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:02,000 every one of those events, but it gives us really good 330 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:03,400 practice. And I think that's the great 331 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:07,200 thing of us going to deliver a message to USATF is that going 332 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:13,240 through the US Figure Skating Championships and and assembling 333 00:21:13,240 --> 00:21:16,160 our local organizing committee and all that goes into that 334 00:21:16,160 --> 00:21:22,560 conditions us really well to to have had that experience and be 335 00:21:22,560 --> 00:21:26,080 able to take the great takeaways and lessons from that and apply 336 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:29,840 them in in the planning process for 2028. 337 00:21:30,760 --> 00:21:33,360 So I know the final course is going to get released, you know, 338 00:21:33,360 --> 00:21:36,760 much later on, but how did you guys design a route that's fast, 339 00:21:36,840 --> 00:21:40,720 fair and then at the same time showcases like the city's 340 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:44,760 Olympic history? That was, you know, we had to 341 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:48,800 take a lot into consideration there because we knew how 342 00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:54,160 important it was, you know, for the qualification to have it be 343 00:21:54,680 --> 00:21:58,040 a fast course. That was in our minds all the 344 00:21:58,040 --> 00:22:05,200 time, you know, and, and Saint Louis is I think the course 345 00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:10,520 elevation, all that stuff, you know, is it, is it the the 346 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:14,000 perfect scenario? There's some pills in there. 347 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:17,560 So you know that that's what we have to deal with. 348 00:22:17,560 --> 00:22:21,240 But it was very much driven by we wanted to be a fast course. 349 00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:26,640 But again, it was addressing that vision too, of connecting 350 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:31,960 to our Olympic legacy, doing something innovative in actually 351 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:38,160 finishing in a 20,000 seat stadium to create something I 352 00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:41,640 think completely new for the trials that that would be a 353 00:22:41,640 --> 00:22:45,760 spectacular moment. So we had to balance all that 354 00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:48,560 out. And I think you'll see a lot of 355 00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:51,760 the start, especially from Wash you to downtown, it's kind of 356 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:55,840 just downhill. And so that's very advantageous. 357 00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:59,080 And then you throw in, let's showcase the best of the 358 00:22:59,080 --> 00:23:00,920 community. You know, you got to run by the 359 00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:03,160 arts, you got to run by Busch Stadium. 360 00:23:04,040 --> 00:23:07,400 And, and so I, I think on this one, I, I'd like to think we're 361 00:23:07,640 --> 00:23:12,400 being able to, was it have our cake and eat it too to, to be 362 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:16,520 able to address kind of the needs of all the constituencies 363 00:23:16,520 --> 00:23:18,240 here. We're along the course. 364 00:23:18,240 --> 00:23:21,640 I guess we'll be, you know, some of the places for families, I 365 00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:24,120 guess to, you know, have their, their spots to watch. 366 00:23:25,560 --> 00:23:30,440 Well, I think that's another one of the great points of the 367 00:23:30,440 --> 00:23:35,920 course is I, I can't identify a part of it where I'd say, gosh, 368 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:41,680 you know, this isn't going to be a easy, convenient, great place 369 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:44,640 to watch. That's probably the hardest part 370 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:48,080 is like where, where do you go? And it's everything from, you 371 00:23:48,080 --> 00:23:52,320 know, once we start, we go into Forest Park, one of the greatest 372 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:58,000 urban parks in the country is where the 2004 women's trials, 373 00:23:59,160 --> 00:24:01,080 women's marathon trials took place. 374 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:04,480 You know, so right there, great place. 375 00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:09,520 And then just all along as you progress to downtown and from a 376 00:24:09,520 --> 00:24:13,720 transportation wise, you have our light rail system, bus 377 00:24:13,720 --> 00:24:16,440 system, all will make it easy for fans. 378 00:24:16,440 --> 00:24:19,800 And then once you get into downtown, you have the, the, the 379 00:24:19,800 --> 00:24:22,440 loop. And the advantage there, of 380 00:24:22,440 --> 00:24:26,560 course, is you'll be able to see the runners come by more often. 381 00:24:27,200 --> 00:24:32,040 And, and even if you're inside Energizer Park, there's going to 382 00:24:32,040 --> 00:24:34,840 be, you're going to be able to leave the seating area and 383 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:37,800 actually see the runners go by because the way the stadium's 384 00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:40,480 built looks right on over the streets there. 385 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:44,840 So you know that that's going to be the hardest part is figuring 386 00:24:44,840 --> 00:24:49,560 out where's the where's the best place amongst many to, to, to 387 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:52,320 catch the race Max. I guess like the RFP also said 388 00:24:52,320 --> 00:24:57,360 that the LOC is going to set the Mens and women's A standards and 389 00:24:57,360 --> 00:25:00,920 I guess like as of right now, we're just seeing everyone in 390 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:06,120 the world is getting faster. The standard for the 2027 World 391 00:25:06,120 --> 00:25:10,200 Championships is 206. And I think in 2024 we had that 392 00:25:10,200 --> 00:25:13,080 sort of like confusion of sort of like is, are we going to send 393 00:25:13,080 --> 00:25:16,640 a full team, right? Because of where the push was 394 00:25:16,640 --> 00:25:19,280 for world rankings and, and, and the Olympic standards. 395 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:22,000 How are you just sort of like engaging those conversations 396 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:24,520 with World Athletics so that, you know, from a product 397 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:28,040 standpoint on the day, the hope is that it's clear cut, you 398 00:25:28,040 --> 00:25:32,520 know, three men, three women get to go, you know, to the Olympic 399 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:35,280 Games from, you know, the race that people will be watching. 400 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:38,640 So I guess how, how are those conversations actively going 401 00:25:38,640 --> 00:25:41,600 with World Athletics for, you know, the Olympic standard? 402 00:25:41,800 --> 00:25:46,000 So those conversations are ongoing and I can tell you that 403 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:49,000 we have a lot of advocates that really do a couple of things. 404 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:52,680 First of all, you never want to impact the athletic integrity of 405 00:25:52,680 --> 00:25:55,480 the event, right? And so we start from that point 406 00:25:55,480 --> 00:25:57,200 of view. Then we're in this ecosystem 407 00:25:57,200 --> 00:26:00,920 with 214 countries around the world, and you're trying to, you 408 00:26:00,920 --> 00:26:03,040 know, global fairness and those kind of things. 409 00:26:03,040 --> 00:26:05,840 But at the end of the day, I think everyone is focused on 410 00:26:06,480 --> 00:26:09,640 engaging fans, getting more people to pay attention, 411 00:26:09,640 --> 00:26:12,120 elevating our sport. And so we have conversations 412 00:26:12,120 --> 00:26:16,120 about the product that we put on, you know, the product for 413 00:26:16,120 --> 00:26:18,160 our fans, how we select our teams. 414 00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:20,080 You know, our team is the hardest team in the world to 415 00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:23,120 make, we say because you got to be the best on that particular 416 00:26:23,120 --> 00:26:27,880 point in time. But the advocacy is is 365 days 417 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:29,120 a year. You know, we have people, 418 00:26:29,120 --> 00:26:30,680 wonderful people that represent us. 419 00:26:30,680 --> 00:26:34,920 We the David Katz of the world, you know, Renee myself, get 420 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:37,680 involved. We have the athlete voice, you 421 00:26:37,680 --> 00:26:40,840 know, but but Jay can even speak to some of the things that we do 422 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:43,840 to ensure that number one, we have the best team that's going 423 00:26:43,840 --> 00:26:47,000 to be on that field of play during the Olympic Games, but 424 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:52,600 also advocating for having our selection process represent, you 425 00:26:52,600 --> 00:26:54,040 know, first three across the field. 426 00:26:54,040 --> 00:26:55,600 But Jay, you may want to comment on that. 427 00:26:56,120 --> 00:26:57,880 Yeah. I mean, I think that, you know, 428 00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:00,720 there is, I think this is the third try marathon trials in a 429 00:27:00,720 --> 00:27:03,280 row where there is at this point there's an element of mystery 430 00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:06,880 about, you know, the, the top three and, and how that will 431 00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:08,440 work with the world athletic system. 432 00:27:08,440 --> 00:27:11,640 And as Max says, you know, we have, we have a really strong 433 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:14,120 and fair voice in the World Athletics conversation. 434 00:27:14,120 --> 00:27:17,920 I think you saw, you know, the outcome of, of the World World 435 00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:20,440 Rd. racing championships conversations that we had. 436 00:27:20,440 --> 00:27:23,000 That was a special exception, but it was made in the interest 437 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:27,400 of the best thing for the sport. And so that's, that's sort of 438 00:27:27,400 --> 00:27:28,960 where these conversations are going as well. 439 00:27:28,960 --> 00:27:31,600 Sorry, there is work going on in the upstairs of my house if you 440 00:27:31,600 --> 00:27:34,680 hear that. But but I think one point that 441 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:38,000 I, I'll make is that the standards keep getting faster 442 00:27:38,080 --> 00:27:40,080 and Americans keep getting faster with them. 443 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:44,720 We were concerned, you know, in, in 2024 and in 2020 that, you 444 00:27:44,720 --> 00:27:47,480 know, the conditions or the times were going to be too fast 445 00:27:47,480 --> 00:27:49,600 and we'd be in that situation that you talked about, Chris. 446 00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:53,760 But in 2020, despite the hills, despite the wind, everybody ran 447 00:27:53,760 --> 00:27:55,760 the standards and we didn't have to worry about it. 448 00:27:55,760 --> 00:27:58,160 And then in 2024, we saw some fast times as well. 449 00:27:58,160 --> 00:28:02,200 And and since then, we've seen Americans get so much faster on 450 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:05,120 both the men's and women's side. So I think, you know, yes, we're 451 00:28:05,120 --> 00:28:07,640 going to continue to have these conversations about how to 452 00:28:07,640 --> 00:28:10,680 ensure the product and the excitement and that first three 453 00:28:10,680 --> 00:28:12,600 across the line, that easy story to tell. 454 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:15,120 And at the same time, the athletes performances are going 455 00:28:15,120 --> 00:28:17,720 to keep rising to the standards that World Athletic sets. 456 00:28:18,480 --> 00:28:20,080 Sweet. So I guess my final question for 457 00:28:20,080 --> 00:28:22,560 for all of you is what's, you know, it's still really early, 458 00:28:22,560 --> 00:28:26,280 but when you're picturing sort of that, you know, lasting image 459 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:29,680 that people are going to take from the 2028 trials, you know, 460 00:28:29,680 --> 00:28:31,520 what it what is it like? What are you hoping people 461 00:28:31,520 --> 00:28:34,600 remember, you know, when the athletes cross the finish line 462 00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:38,040 or the people there, you know, watch, you know, Olympic dreams 463 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:40,000 come true? I guess we could start with with 464 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:42,080 Mark. There's many answers I could 465 00:28:42,080 --> 00:28:43,960 give. The, the thing that comes to 466 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:48,080 mind for me, just because it was, I think a unique element of 467 00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:53,600 our bid and what we're proposing is just to have a packed 20,000 468 00:28:53,880 --> 00:28:59,640 seats Energizer Park at, at the finish and, you know, do 469 00:28:59,640 --> 00:29:02,320 something that hasn't been done for the trials before that. 470 00:29:02,320 --> 00:29:06,080 You imagine that scene as the runners come in through the 471 00:29:06,080 --> 00:29:14,200 tunnel and enter the facility. The, the, the, the atmosphere, 472 00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:18,960 the environment, that scene, I think is just going to be, you 473 00:29:18,960 --> 00:29:22,720 know, you want that to be one of those all time coolest moments 474 00:29:23,360 --> 00:29:26,080 that you've been a part of. And so as I think about our 475 00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:30,080 planning, you know, there's, there's many things we have to 476 00:29:30,080 --> 00:29:32,040 cover and we got to do really well. 477 00:29:32,360 --> 00:29:36,920 And that's one of those pieces that I hope can just come 478 00:29:36,920 --> 00:29:40,920 together and, and be sort of that that lasting legacy from 479 00:29:40,920 --> 00:29:46,080 from the event and, and, and something to that, you know, not 480 00:29:46,080 --> 00:29:49,320 just memorable for Saint Louis and to the fans that are there, 481 00:29:49,560 --> 00:29:54,600 but for the athletes as well, that they get to experience 482 00:29:55,600 --> 00:29:59,320 something that elevates the event and, and elevates the 483 00:29:59,320 --> 00:30:01,760 sports. Jackie, what do you hope they 484 00:30:01,920 --> 00:30:05,200 take away or remember? You know, just to add on to what 485 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:08,400 Mark was saying, because as I'm sitting here, I was getting 486 00:30:08,400 --> 00:30:14,200 goosebumps because I think it's so important that the athletes 487 00:30:15,360 --> 00:30:20,240 feel and know that they were thought up first, regardless of 488 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:24,000 all the other things that that we have to do. 489 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:29,880 But to know coming through, you know, that last part and to have 490 00:30:29,880 --> 00:30:33,000 20,000 fans that's there, that's for them. 491 00:30:33,160 --> 00:30:39,120 You know, that's something that you were remember and to know 492 00:30:39,120 --> 00:30:44,360 that this happened right here in Saint Louis and that always, 493 00:30:45,040 --> 00:30:49,040 always the athletes are first because without athletes, there 494 00:30:49,040 --> 00:30:53,000 wouldn't be no trials. And so here is a moment that 495 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:56,800 they can remember that happened right here in Saint Louis. 496 00:30:57,600 --> 00:31:00,200 Max. So I'm listening to Mark and 497 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:03,680 Jackie, and I have to agree with both of them with respect to the 498 00:31:03,680 --> 00:31:07,040 athletes first. However, the most memorable 499 00:31:07,040 --> 00:31:11,760 thing to me as a consumer and a fan is how the community made me 500 00:31:11,760 --> 00:31:15,040 feel. And so, you know, I can look at 501 00:31:15,040 --> 00:31:17,760 different events and I can say, wow, that that was really 502 00:31:17,760 --> 00:31:19,800 special. I got the experience, one of the 503 00:31:19,800 --> 00:31:22,800 most inspiring athletic performances with my family. 504 00:31:23,160 --> 00:31:25,840 And from the time I got out of the parking lot into into the 505 00:31:25,840 --> 00:31:29,640 stadium or watching the course along the way, the people of the 506 00:31:29,640 --> 00:31:32,160 community made me feel special and embraced. 507 00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:36,640 And what really has me excited about Saint Louis, you know, is 508 00:31:36,640 --> 00:31:39,640 to have the leaders like Mark and Jackie and the whole 509 00:31:39,640 --> 00:31:42,720 community excited about hosting our athletes. 510 00:31:42,720 --> 00:31:45,480 I think it will enhance the athlete experience because the 511 00:31:45,480 --> 00:31:49,480 community is so excited about the event, but for me, it's that 512 00:31:49,480 --> 00:31:52,080 moment where it all comes together, where the athletes 513 00:31:52,080 --> 00:31:54,920 feel special. You get to witness this moment 514 00:31:54,920 --> 00:31:59,000 in time that you know will last forever, and then you walk away 515 00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:01,960 feeling like I I, I got to experience something unique and 516 00:32:01,960 --> 00:32:03,880 different and I felt special myself. 517 00:32:04,320 --> 00:32:05,400 Awesome. Well, I appreciate you guys 518 00:32:05,400 --> 00:32:06,520 taking the time for this. Yeah. 519 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:08,560 Thank you. Thank you, Chris. 520 00:32:08,560 --> 00:32:10,000 Great talking to you. Thanks. 521 00:32:12,280 --> 00:32:13,880 All right, that's a wrap on today's episode. 522 00:32:14,120 --> 00:32:16,840 Thanks for listening, for the time, the curiosity, and for 523 00:32:16,840 --> 00:32:19,600 making this show part of your routine or your run. 524 00:32:20,080 --> 00:32:22,920 A big thanks to our producer Jasmine Fair and to everyone 525 00:32:22,920 --> 00:32:25,520 behind the scenes who helps make the Sidious Magic Podcast 526 00:32:25,520 --> 00:32:27,400 happen. If you enjoyed today's episode, 527 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:30,280 a quick five star review on Apple Podcast or Spotify helps 528 00:32:30,280 --> 00:32:33,480 people find this show and we read every single one. 529 00:32:33,600 --> 00:32:36,720 You can find muchmoretrackandfieldcoverage@sidiousmag.com 530 00:32:36,720 --> 00:32:39,080 and you can follow along across all of Sidious Mag social 531 00:32:39,080 --> 00:32:40,560 channels. We'll see you next time. 532 00:32:40,800 --> 00:32:41,800 Thanks again for listening.