TAFWA President Ron Bellamy has called for any feedback from journalists who covered the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene.   He is hoping to receive any opinions about the experience so as to improve the media conditions for future coverage from Hayward Field (most notably, the USATF meet will be held there in 2009 and 2011, and the Trials coming back to Eugene in 2012). 

To that end, Ron has started a discussion thread in the "discussion" section of the web site, which is password-protected for TAFWA members.  (For those looking to become members, please click on the "membership" tab above.)  Please remember that you have to be logged into your TAFWA account to view the appropriate discusion thread, titled "Note from TAFWA President:  Feedback from Eugene. "

"From my experience, a lot of what was provided was first-rate, not simply in comparison with other track and field championships, but with media treatment in other sports, such as the NBA finals or NCAA Final Four," Ron writes to the membership.  "The media work tent, the media food, the mixed-zone access all were better than I've seen.  It was good that Oregon set up the temporary staircase linking press row and the interview tent."

Ron also mentions a few areas of possible improvement -- to participate in the discussion thread that will be used to improve the experience for coming events in "Tracktown, U.S.A.," please log on the discussion page and click on the forum titled "Note from TAFWA President:  Feedback from Eugene. "

Another related note from the president:  those of you going to Beijing, please share that on the discussion board as well.   It might be good for members to know who'll be joining them for the Olympics, as not everyone who covered the Trials will be heading east in August.