Source: NBC16.com
By Hayden Herrera and NBC16.com Staff
Monday, July 11th 2022
McKENZIE RIVER, Ore. — With the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 starting this week, several communities in our area are serving as training camps for different countries competing at Hayward Field.
We looked in on how the people of the McKenzie River Valley have opened their doors – and their track. Nestled along Highway 126, some 40 miles away from Eugene, lies McKenzie Community Track and Field. It’s a track community that has persevered after the devastating Holiday Farm Fire less than two years ago.
“I wanted to create a way for teams to really experience the beautiful state and resources that we have,” says Michael Bergmann, vice president of McKenzie River Community Track, which for the past week has hosted Team Ireland to stay and train ahead of the World Athletics Championships. Bergmann says the community has embraced the Irish.
“We helped shuttle people where they needed. We had an organic farm bring blueberries to the athletes one day. Some of the coaches went on a raft trip yesterday.”
Paul McNamara is the performance director and team leader for Athletics Ireland. He says, while the accents and scenery are different, many Irish athletes competing come from rural communities, and staying in the McKenzie River Valley has been fantastic.
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