The Oregon Convention Center got a big boost Friday, as the International Association of Athletics Federations awarded the 2016 world indoor track and field championships to Portland.
Sponsored by a group backed by Nike, the IAAF World Indoor Championships in March 2016 will be the second time the indoor meet has been held in the United States. The inaugural event was held in Indianapolis in 1987.
Representatives from TrackTown USA pitched the center as a venue capable of hosting not only 8,000 fans for the three-day meet, but also a fan festival and other amenities to make the championships a draw for more than just the races.
"We're excited that the Oregon Convention Center has been selected as the venue for hosting this esteemed event, that will include the greatest track and field athletes in the world," said Scott Cruickshank, the OCC's executive director, in a statement. "The magnitude of this event is huge for the local economy and reinforces our belief that Portland, Oregon, is a highly desirable city for national and international travelers."
The meet is slated to feature more than 600 athletes from at least 200 countries. A 200-meter track will be custom-built for the meet, which will host 13 events each for men and women.
"We're looking at the event taking the entire building, with the track being in the exhibit hall, and ballrooms and meeting spaces for ancillary events and sponsor events," Cruickshank said. "The building is very resourceful for the needs of this event."
The OCC has yet to negotiate a contract with TrackTown USA for the use of the center.
The IAAF awarded the events Friday after hearing from representatives from Portland and from Birmingham, England, which was awarded the 2018 championships.
Speaking on behalf of Portland, world record holder Ashton Eaton said the city is a "logistical dream for any athlete."
"The only problem you will have by staging the championships there will be to get people to leave, as everyone will want to stay in Portland," Eaton said.
Representatives from the OCC, which is managed by Metro, said the event will have broad benefits.
"We expect thousands of visitors each day generating millions in impact not only for Portland, but for the entire region," Cruickshank said.