2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships - Portland, OR

Press Release

The world’s greatest track and field athletes will gather at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland on March 18-20 to compete in the 16th IAAF World Indoor Championships, the first time this biennial event has been contested in the U.S. since the inaugural meeting in 1987 in Indianapolis.

Quick Facts

•      The meet will feature more than 600 athletes representing as many as 200 different countries from around the world.

•      Athletes will compete in 13 men’s and women’s events: 60m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m, 4x400m relay, 60m hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put, men’s heptathlon, women’s pentathlon. Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each event.

•      The three-day meet will be held in the Oregon Convention Center, featuring a new 200-meter track, infield and 7,000-seat stadium. The OCC has ample space for numerous other spectator amenities.

•      As a thrilling kick-off, a free Pole Vault Festival is planned in the Moda Center on March 17. We hope to have a full lineup of high school events, followed by the World Indoor Championship men’s and women’s pole vault competition, occurring simultaneously on separate runways that evening.

•      Each day, the public will be invited to gather at Pioneer Square for a lively Fan Festival, which is scheduled to include a replica of the World Indoor track, interactive exhibits, flag display, live entertainment, food and beverages.

•      The meet will be broadcast to a global television audience. It is anticipated that the 2016 World Indoor Championships will be seen by as many as 140 million viewers worldwide. In addition, media from around the globe will travel to Portland to cover this event.

•      At the 2014 meet in Sopot, Poland, Team USA won 12 medals: 8 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze. The gold medalists included Oregon Track Club Elite’s Ashton Eaton, who defended his world indoor heptathlon title from 2012.

•      Team USA has won more medals at World Indoors than any other country: 87 gold, 58 silver and 57 bronze.

•      TrackTown USA will be the local organizing committee for the event. USA Track & Field is the IAAF member federation.

•      Twitter: @Portland2016 #Portland2016

Previous hosts of IAAF World Indoor Championships

Sopot (2014), Istanbul (2012), Doha (2010), Valencia (2008), Moscow (2006), Budapest (2004), Birmingham (2003), Lisbon (2001), Maebashi, Japan (1999), Paris (1997), Barcelona (1995), Toronto (1993), Seville (1991), Budapest (1989), Indianapolis (1987).

About the IAAF

The International Association of Athletics Federations is the world’s governing body for the sport of track and field. It represents 212 national federations, the second-largest athletics organization in the world. The IAAF Council consists of 27 elected members and the General Secretary, including a president, four vice-presidents, a treasurer, and one representative from each of the six Area groups: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

About TrackTown USA

TrackTown USA, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to setting a standard of excellence in the sports of track and field and running by hosting premier events, creating a supportive environment for elite athletic performances, improving facilities and inspiring the next generation of track and field athletes and fans. The organization is responsible for organizing the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships, the 2015 USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships, the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships and the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials—Track & Field.