My smallish city of Eugene, Oregon, has hit the big time by hosting the USA Olympic Track and Field Competition this week­­—and we’re striving to hold the greenest major sports event in history.  

It’s a thrill to see our little city on national news and spot a few ultra-athletes strolling our streets, but it’s even more exciting to see the creative ways event planners have minimized waste.  We’ve gone down to the race venue to admire all the green details.

• Compostable disposables: All the utensils and plates at the food booths are made from compostable materials. 
• Recycling containers everywhere:  Local organizers somehow found a way for all food (including meats and cheeses) to be thrown in the containers  with compostable utensils and dishes.  Another bin is for comingled plastic, aluminum and newspaper recycling, drastically reducing the amount of trash that will head to landfills.
  
• Solar powered stage: Solar panels have generated plenty of power to support big screen TVs, stereos and lights.
  
• Wind-power energy: All the remaining energy needed for the event was purchased from wind-generated power.
  
• Human power: A set of power-generating stationary bikes are available for volunteers who want to personally contribute energy by signing up for 30 minutes of pedaling.
  
• Valet bike parking: The meet has sometimes filled the fenced area that can hold more than 400 bicycles.
• Electric shuttle: The city offers a free EmX bus shuttle for spectators that is hybrid-electric powered.

As if that wasn’t all wonderful enough, there was also a track meet for local youth that takes place on the actual track where the potential Olympians sprint across the finish line.  Roscoe participated in the under two category—and ended up running his own direction. In the photo he’s about to cross the finish line after taking the scenic route with Dad and a friend.