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Eugene will never be known as Speed City.
But it will be home to some of the world’s best sprinters on June 10 at the 33rd edition of the Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field.
A star-studded field in the 200 meters was announced by meet director Tom Jordan on Wednesday.
Jamaica’s Asafa Powell, the world record-holder in the 100, and American Jeremy Wariner, the reigning world and Olympic champion in the 400, will headline the event. Powell was chosen as the 2006 Man of the Year by Track & Field News magazine, and Wariner finished second in the voting.
Of course, with Wariner stepping down in distance and Powell moving up, they might not even be the race favorites.
The rest of the 200 field features Xavier Carter, who ran a world-leading 19.63 last year; Wallace Spearmon, who clocked 19.65; 2004 Olympic gold medalist Shawn Crawford; Kelly Willie, the NCAA runner-up; Rodney Martin, the bronze medalist at the U.S. championships; and Jamaican veteran Chris Williams, who won the Doha Grand Prix 200 last year at the age of 35.
Who will win? The 100m world record holder (Powell)? Last year’s 200m newbie sensation (X)? The greatest 400m runner of this decade (Wariner)? Last year’s number one ranked 200m runner (Spearmon)? Darkhorse all-around great Kelly Willie? Cast your vote!