Officials announced yesterday that Durham and Duke will host yet another prestigious track event this summer. In addition to holding the NCAA track finals at the end of May, Wallace Wade Stadium will play home to the East Coast Invitational Track Meet.
"We are honored to be the host city," Mayor Nick Tennyson said at a City Hall press conference. "We're going to be the center of the track universe in the next few months."
According to a press release, from July 21 to 23, the ECI will draw more than 3,000 track and field athletes from across the country, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean Islands.
Except for Philadelphia's annual Penn Relays, "there is no other meet in the country that draws as many spectators...," said Leroy Walker, former president of the United States Olympic Committee and honorary co-director of the ECI. "This meet has international significance."
Officials also praised the support of the event's host, the Durham Striders Track Club-an organization dedicated to improving the lives of young people through training and competition in track and field. Dr. Brenda Armstrong, director of admissions at the School of Medicine and a volunteer with the Striders, lauded the club's mission. "What we do with [young participants'] minds and self-esteem goes beyond any achievement they make physically," she said.
The meet will merge the East Coast Invitational with the Striders' annual invitational track meet-named in honor of long-time local track coach Russell Blunt.
Duke track coach Al Buehler, the ECI's other honorary co-director, said he was pleased that the two meets merged. "This is a great combination," he said. "My part of this whole thing is to sit back and enjoy [the high-quality track performance]."
"You tend to [understate] Duke's role in giving up that lovely... field," said Johnny Ford, director of the city's Parks and Recreation Department. He added that although the ECI has received a lot of support, it is still seeking additional sponsors.
Blunt, a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame who is in his 90s, was also at Monday's press conference. "I'm very fortunate to be here in Durham...," said the winning track and football coach from Hillside High School. "Thank you for using my name to have this meet."
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