Hayward Field Evacuated Due to Bomb Threat Ahead of NCAA Championships

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — The University of Oregon's Hayward Field was cleared out on Tuesday afternoon following a bomb threat, just one day before it is set to welcome the NCAA outdoor championships. The threat, which came in via phone, was reported shortly after 1 p.m., according to university officials.

During the incident, athletes who were practicing at the venue were swiftly evacuated, and a planned news conference for later that day was called off. In response, university police along with local law enforcement agencies arrived on the scene, while the university advised the public to steer clear of the area.

The NCAA Track and Field championships are scheduled to commence on Wednesday and will continue through Saturday. At this time, it remains uncertain whether the bomb threat has any connection to the upcoming event.

Hayward Field has a history of hosting major athletic events, including the 2022 World Track Championships and the U.S. Olympic team trials in preparation for the 2024 Paris Games.