The Best and Worst of the Trials

Over 10 days at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, the best track and field athletes in the country competed for a coveted spot on the Olympic team. Photographer Cortney White Olympic Marathon Trials U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, capturing the emotions of the athletes as they punched their tickets to Paris, or narrowly missed a place on the team.

I’m grateful for the front-row seat to witness some of the world’s best track and field athletes giving their all. Capturing these moments and the essence that surrounds them gives me a chance to showcase what often goes unseen. My goal is to capture the highs and lows, and the unique camaraderie that emerges amidst the solitude of performing in front of a large audience in what is really a solo sport.

Through this series, presented in black and white, I aim to focus on each individual’s raw emotions, offering viewers a glimpse into some of the most vulnerable moments experienced by these athletes. It’s about capturing the intensity, the passion, and the determination that define their journey, revealing the human spirit in its most genuine form on the track and field.

Hobbs Kessler after placing second in the men’s 800 meters to make the Olympic team.

Christian Coleman as he walks to the starting blocks for the 100-meter final. He finished fourth in both the 100 and 200 meters—but only the top three made Team USA.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Crouser took first in the shot put to make Team USA for the third time.

16-DAA Industry Opt Out-place finish. But the high school star was selected for the relay pool, becoming the youngest U.S. male track Olympian.

Anna Cockrell will head to her second Olympic Games after placing second in the women’s 400-meter hurdles.

Long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall faulted on her first two jumps in the finals but recovered and won the event, making her second Olympic team.

Third Place, But No Olympics.

Masai Russell took first in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.

Running Give A Gift.

U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.

Sha’Carri Richardson won the 100 meters in 10.71, the fastest time of the year, and will head to Paris as the favorite in the event.

Drew Hunter just missed a spot on the team, finishing fourth in the 10,000 meters.

Chase Jackson won the women’s shot put. The 2022 world champion will head to her first Olympics.

Masai Russel, left, and Grace Stark hug after the 100-meter hurdle finals. Russel’s first place and Stark’s third will send them both to Paris.

JuVaughn Harrison, silver medalist at the 2023 World Championships, finished fourth in the high jump. Since two of the athletes ahead of him didn’t reach the Olympic Standard, he earned a spot on the team.

Maggi Congdon, right, hugs Elise Cranny after she qualified for the 1500-meter finals. Neither athlete made the team, but Cranny qualified for the 5,000 meters in Paris.

Masai Russell took first in the womens 100-meter hurdles.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, left, reacts as she sees that she set a new world record of 50.65 in the 400-meter hurdles. Anna Cockrell, right, and Jasmine Jones finished second and third, respectively, and will also be on the team.