INDIANAPOLIS – Many of America’s best track and field athletes, from sprinters to throwers and distance runners, compete May 17 at the first event of USA Track & Field’s 2003 Outdoor Golden Spike Tour, the adidas Oregon Track Classic in Portland, Oregon.

They will be joined by international standouts, including Olympic gold medalists and world champions.

The event will feature U.S. stars Maurice Greene, John Capel, Coby Miller, Tyree Washington, David Krummenacker, Charles Austin, Adam Nelson, Kevin Toth, John Godina, Angela Williams, Kelli White, Inger Miller, Jen Toomey, Elva Dryer, Jenny Adams, Melissa Morrison, Miesha McKelvy, Kellie Suttle and Suzy Powell among others, along with a strong cast of international stars. The event will be televised live on ESPN from 5-6 p.m. Eastern Time.

The adidas Oregon Track Classic will be held at Mount Hood Stadium on the campus of Mount Hood Community College in Portland, with field events beginning at 1:00 p.m. local time. The 2003 adidas Oregon Track Classic is an IAAF Grand Prix I event.

U.S. Olympic and world champions highlight the field, including Olympic men’s 100m gold medalist Maurice Greene in the Verizon men’s 100 meters and three-time world shot put champion and two-time Olympic medalist John Godina. Look for the #1 ranked shot putter in the world, Adam Nelson, to join Godina in Portland, along with Kevin Toth, who won this year’s Kansas Relays with a mammoth personal best throw of 22.67 meters/74 feet, 4.50 inches.

Other standouts competing in Portland include 1996 Olympic men’s high jump gold medalist Charles Austin, 2003 World Indoor 400m champion Tyree Washington and 2003 World Indoor 800m champion David Krummenacker, who will compete in the adidas men’s 800 meters.

A strong contingent of international competitors also will compete on Saturday, including 2000 Olympic gold medalist Noah Ngeny of Kenya in the 1,500 meters; 1997 world champion Ato Boldon from Trinidad and Tobago in the men’s 200 meters; British sprinting star Dwain Chambers in the 200; the world’s #1 ranked 400m runner, Michael Blackwood of Jamaica, in the 400; and 2001 world 400m champion Avard Moncur of the Bahamas.

In women’s competition, four-time NCAA 100m champion Angela Williams will compete in her specialty against 2001 World Outdoor Championships 200m bronze medalist Kelli White, 1999 200m world outdoor champion Inger Miller and 2000 Olympian Torri Edwards. 2002 USA Outdoor Championships runner-up Jen Toomey headlines a strong field in the 800 meters, while Elva Dryer, who posted the third-fastest U.S. women’s 10,000m time in history of 31 minutes, 26.88 seconds May 2 at the Cardinal Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif., will be featured in the women’s 5,000 meters.

2000 Olympic bronze medalist Melissa Morrison and 2001 World Outdoor Championships fifth-place finisher Jenny Adams, will lead a strong field in the women’s hurdles, and 2000 Olympians Mel Mueller and Kellie Suttle will do battle in the Visa women’s pole vault.

The women’s discus should provide some fireworks as American record holder Suzy Powell takes on four-time U.S. champion Seilala Sua and reigning U.S. champion Kris Kuehl.

Women’s international stars include 2000 Olympic relay gold medalist Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas in the 100 meters; 2000 Olympic fourth-place finisher Brigita Langerholc of Slovenia in the 800 meters; double World Junior champion Merseret Defar of Ethiopia in the 5,000; and 1999 New York City Marathon champion Adriana Fernandez of Mexico in the 5,000. 1997 world champion Beatrice Faumuina of New Zealand will throw the women’s discus.

Tickets for the adidas Oregon Track Classic are $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the event. Tickets may be purchased on line at www.oregontrackclassic.com

For more information on the 2003 Outdoor Golden Spike Tour, visit the USATF Web site: www.usatf.org.

adidas Oregon Track Classic At a Glance (fields subject to change; athletes USA unless otherwise denoted)

Men’s Shot Put

THE FIELD: Adam Nelson, John Godina, Kevin Toth, Brad Snyder (CAN), Tonyo Silvester, Jamie Beyer, Justin Anlezark (AUS).

THE SCOOP: A virtual who’s who of the world’s best will battle it out in Portland, in a competition that features the top three ranked shot putters in the world. World #1 Adam Nelson won here last year with a personal best and world-leading mark for 2002 of 22.51 meters/73 feet, 10.25. World #2 Kevin Toth is in fine form after recently winning the Kansas Relays with his monster throw of 22.67m/74-4.50 inches, the best in the world since 1990. Three-time, reigning world champion John Godina also will be a factor after ending the 2002 season ranked #3 in the world. 1999 Pan American Games silver medalist Jamie Beyer is in the field, along with five-time Canadian champion Brad Snyder.

Visa Women’s Pole Vault

THE FIELD: Mel Mueller, Tracey O’Hara, Mary Sauer, Jillian Schwartz, Kellie Suttle, Alicia Warlick.

THE SCOOP: 2000 Olympians Kellie Suttle and Mel Mueller will try to dethrone defending champion Mary Sauer, who won here last year with a clearance of 4.62m/15-1.75. Mueller and Suttle each cleared 4.35m/14-3.25, with Mueller finishing as the runner-up with fewer misses during the competition. Two-time NCAA champion Tracy O’Hara also is in the field, along with 2002 USA Indoor runner-up Jillian Schwartz, who placed fourth here last year (4.25m/13-11.75).

Women’s 100m Hurdles

THE FIELD: Jenny Adams, Damu Cherry, Miesha McKelvy, Donica Merriman, Melissa Morrison, Dionne Rose-Henley (JAM), Lacena Golding-Clarke (JAM), Vonette Dixon (JAM).

THE SCOOP: This is anybody’s race, as each entrant is capable of beating the field on any given day. Defending meet champion Miesha McKelvy ended the 2002 campaign ranked #5 in the world and #3 in the United States. She will have a difficult task on her hands as any one of three Jamaicans – Dionne Rose-Henley (5th at 1996 Olympics), Lacena Golding-Clarke (2002 Commonwealth Games gold medalist) and Vonette Dixon (2002 Commonwealth Games silver medalist) also could win. Among American contenders, 2001 World Outdoor Championships fifth-place finisher Jenny Adams is looking to win this event again following her victory here two years ago, and 2000 Olympic Games bronze medalist Melissa Morrison is hoping to make an early outdoor season statement in Portland. 2001 NCAA champion Donica Merriman ended the 2002 season ranked #8 in the world, and Damu Cherry showed her potential by finishing sixth at the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships. adidas Men’s 800 Meters

THE FIELD: David Krummenacker, Derrick Peterson, Khadevis Robinson, Alemu Berhanu (ETH), Trinity Gray, Japheth Kimutai (KEN), Kris McCarthy (AUS), Patrick Nduwimana (BUR), Nicholas Wachira (KEN), Zach Whitmarsh (CAN).

THE SCOOP: David Krummenacker is the favorite here after his stunning victory at the 2003 World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England. Krummenacker is looking for another victory in Portland after winning the 1000 meters last year in 2:15.97. 2002 U.S. 800m runner-up Khadevis Robinson will challenge Krummenacker, as will Derrick Peterson, who ended the 2002 season ranked #3 in the United States. World junior record holder Japheth Kimutai of Kenya is in the field, along with his countryman and 2000 world junior champion Nicholas Wachira. Look for 2000 Olympian Patrick Nduwimana of Burundi to challenge Krummenacker for the top spot.

Women’s 800 Meters

THE FIELD: Jen Toomey, Sasha Spencer, Marian Burnett (GUY), Diane Cummins (CAN), Heather Henniger (CAN), Mardrea Hyman (JAM), Brigita Langerholc (SLO), Meskerem Legesse (ETH), Grace Njoki (KEN), Tina Paulino (MOZ), Debbie Savage (AUS), Suzy Walsham (AUS).

THE SCOOP: 2002 USA outdoor runner-up Jen Toomey leads a small American contingent that includes Sasha Spencer, who placed third at the 2002 U.S. Nationals. 2000 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Brigita Langerholc of Slovenia is considered a favorite after placing third (2:01.36) here last year. She will be challenged by 2000 Jamaican Olympian Mardrea Hyman, who was fifth last year in Portland in 2:02.25. Canadian champion and record holder Diane Cummins, the runner-up here last year (2:00.72), also could emerge as the victor.

Women’s 5000 Meters

THE FIELD: Shayne Culpepper, Katie McGregor, Elva Dryer, Blake Russell, Carrie Tollefson, Catherine Berry (GBR), Kathy Butler (GBR), Meseret Defar (ETH), Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH), Sentayehu Ejigu (ETH), Adriana Fernandez (MEX), Leah Malot (KEN), Emile Mondor (CAN), Rodica Moroianu (FRA), Nora Rocha (MEX), Dulce Maria Rodriguez.

THE SCOOP: Defending champion Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia leads a strong international field in this event that includes Kenyan 5,000m record holder Leah Malot, and 2002 world Junior 3000m and 5000m champion Meseret Defar of Ethiopia. 2000 U.S. 1500m Olympian Shayne Culpepper is expected to challenge the international stars, along with her Olympic teammate Elva Dryer and 2002 USA Outdoor Championships third-place finisher Carrie Tollefson. Last year’s U.S. 10,000m third-place finisher Katie McGregor may also contend, as will former NCAA champion and Olympian Kathy Butler of Great Britain.

Women’s Discus

THE FIELD: Suzy Powell, Seilala Sua, Kris Kuehl, Aretha Hill, Beatrice Faumuina (NZL), Debbie Pickersgill.

THE SCOOP: Four of the top ten ranked discus throwers in the world are entered, led by New Zealand’s 1997 world champion and 2002 Portland winner Beatrice Faumuina, who ended the 2002 season ranked #5 in the world. Americans landed three in the world’s top ten last year for the first time ever led by Kris Kuehl, who ended was ranked #7 in the world and #1 in the U.S. after winning her first national outdoor title with a throw of 64.44m/211-5. Suzy Powell ended the 2002 campaign ranked #9 in the world (#2 U.S.) after setting the pending American record of 69.44m/227-10 on April 27. 2002 U.S. third-place finisher Aretha Hill should also contend after ending the 2002 season ranked #10 in the world. Four-time U.S. and NCAA discus champion Seilala Sua also should provide a strong challenge.

Women’s 100 Meters

THE FIELD: Angela Williams, Kelli White, Inger Miller, Torri Edwards, Brianna Glenn, Tayna Lawrence (JAM), Beverly McDonald (JAM), Debbie Ferguson (BAH).

THE SCOOP: A true handicapper’s nightmare, this should be a highly competitive race as five Americans hope to out-duel three talented challengers from the Caribbean. Kelli White of the U.S. and Debbie Ferguson of Jamaica share the fastest time in the world this year, 10.97 seconds, and both are in the field. Tayna Lawrence of Jamaica was ranked #3 in the world in 2002, while Torri Edwards won the 60m bronze at the 2003 World Indoor Championships and was ranked #9 in the world last year at 100m. Inger Miller is the 1999 200m world outdoor champion and a 1996 Olympic 4x100m relay gold medalist. Angela Williams made history last year by winning her fourth career NCAA 100m women’s title and has followed up with the U.S. indoor 60m title and her second silver in the event at the 2003 World Indoor Championships. Brianna Glenn, who ended last year ranked #8 in the U.S., also is in the field, as is Jamaican Beverly McDonald, who was third at Portland in 2002.

Men’s 100 Meters

THE FIELD: Maurice Greene, Mickey Grimes, J.J. Johnson, Marcus Brunson, Ramon Clay, Kim Collins (SKN), Aziz Zakari (GHA), Lindel Frater (JAM).

THE SCOOP: 2000 Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder Maurice Greene is the favorite here after ending the 2002 season ranked #3 in the world. Greene will face a strong challenge from Kim Collins from St. Kitts & Nevis. Collins ended the 2002 campaign ranked #4 in the world after running 9.98 seconds in winning the Commonwealth Games and placing fourth at the Grand Prix Final and second at the World Cup. 2002 USA Outdoor 200m champion Ramon Clay is in the field, along with 2001 Team USA 4x100m relay world outdoor championships gold medalist J.J. Johnson.

Men’s 200 Meters

THE FIELD: John Capel, Coby Miller, Ramon Clay, Darvis Patton, Ja’Warren Hooker, Bobby Williams, Ato Boldon (TRI), Dwain Chambers (GBR).

THE SCOOP: A who’s-who of U.S. 200m runners includes Darvis Patton, the 2002 U.S. indoor and outdoor runner up who was ended 2002 ranked #4 in the world and #1 in the U.S. Other strong Americans in the field include reigning U.S. outdoor champion Ramon Clay (ranked #5 in the world, #2 U.S.), 2000 Olympian Coby Miller (#7 in the world, #4 U.S.), 2000 U.S. champion and Olympic finalist John Capel, and Portland meet record holder Ja’Warren Hooker (20.37-2000). 1997 world outdoor champion and two-time Olympic 200m bronze medalist Ato Boldon of Trinidad and Tobago is in the field, along with Great Britain’s Dwain Chambers, who ended 2002 ranked #2 in the world at 100 meters, behind world record holder Tim Montgomery. Men’s 400 Meters

THE FIELD: Tyree Washington, Jerome Young, James Davis, Michael Blackwood (JAM), Alleyne Francique (GRN), Avard Moncur (BAH), Hamdan Al-Bishi (KSA).

THE SCOOP: Jamaican Michael Blackwood is the favorite after ending the 2002 season ranked #1 in the world. Blackwood won at Portland last year in 45.29 seconds to go along with his eight additional major victories in 2002, including the Grand Prix Final and World Cup. Blackwood will face a strong challenge from 2001 world champion Avard Moncur of the Bahamas. U.S. challengers include 2003 national indoor champion and 1997 World Outdoor Championships bronze medalist Tyree Washington and two-time U.S. champion and 2000 Olympic 4x400m relay gold medalist Jerome Young. 2001 U.S. Indoor champion James Davis also is in the field.

Men’s 1500 Meters

THE FIELD: Jason Lunn, Michael Stember, Ibrahim Aden, Noah Ngeny (KEN), Laban Rotich (KEN), Kevin Sullivan (CAN), Yousef Abdi (AUS), Youssef Baba (MOR), Ryan Hayden (CAN), Graham Hood (CAN), David Kiptoo (KEN), Bernard Lagat (KEN), David Lelei (KEN), Wolfram Muller (GER), Hudson de Souza (BRA), Abdelkader Hachlaf (MOR).

THE SCOOP: A strong international field will be led by 2000 Olympic 1500m gold medalist Noah Ngeny of Kenya and his countrymen Bernard Lagat, the 2001 World Outdoor Championships 1500m silver medalist and 2000 Olympic bronze medalist, and 1996 Olympic 1500m fourth-place finisher Laban Rotich. Two-time U.S. Indoor champion Jason Lunn leads a group of Americans that include 2000 Olympian Michael Stember and Ibrahim Aden, who placed third at the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships. Six-time Canadian champion and national record holder Kevin Sullivan, fifth at the 2000 Olympics, is in the field, along with Canadian Olympian Graham Hood.

Men’s 3000 Meters

THE FIELD: Abdi Abdirahman, Tim Broe, Anthoy Famiglietti, Jonathon Riley, Nick Rogers, Steve Slattery, Nolan Swanson, Michael Aish (NZL), Abrahim Chebii (KEN), David Galvan (MEX), Markos Geneti (ETH), Martin Keino (KEN), Luke Kipkoskei (KEN), Shadrack Kosgei, Willy Kurui (KEN), Michael Power (AUS).

THE SCOOP: Top Americans in the field include U.S. indoor 3000m record holder and two-time indoor champion Tim Broe, 2002 national 3000m steeplechase champion Anthony Famiglietti and 2003 U.S. Indoor 3000m champion Jonathon Riley. Look for Kenyan defending champion Abrahim Chebii (ranked #2 in the world at 3000m) to challenge, along with his countrymen Martin Keino, Luke Kipkoskei, and Willy Kurui. Ethiopia’s 2002 World Junior Championships silver medalist Markos Geneti should also be in the mix.

Men’s High Jump

THE FIELD: Charles Austin, Nathan Leeper, Charles Clinger, James Nieto, Terrance Woods, Mark Boswell (CAN), Kwatu Boateng (CAN).

THE SCOOP: Five of America’s top 10 ranked high jumpers will battle it out in Portland. Charles Clinger is entered after ending the 2002 season ranked #10 in the world and #2 in the U.S. Two-time U.S. indoor and outdoor champion Nathan Leeper will challenge Clinger after they tied for third place here last year. James Nieto is in the field after placing fourth at last year’s U.S. Nationals, and never count out 1996 Olympic gold medalist Charles Austin, who won the 2003 U.S. indoor crown. The Americans will have their hands full with Canadian Mark Boswell, who was the runner-up at Portland last year and ended the 2002 campaign ranked #3 in the world.

For more information on the 2003 adidas Oregon Track Classic visit www.oregontrackclassic.com.