American Track Athletes Showed Up. Did American Fans?

Kara Winger arrived at the track and field world championships as one of the most decorated javelin throwers in American history. A nine-time national champion, she had persevered through injuries, including two knee surgeries, to compete at four Olympic Games.

On Friday, though, Winger was in fifth place before her final throw at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., where the world championships were held. She had never won a medal in a global competition, and she plans to retire at the end of the season. This was her last shot.

“I’m two hours from my hometown,” said Winger, 36, who grew up in Vancouver, Wash., “and I felt like every single person in that stadium was cheering for me.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/18/sports/american-track-field.html