EUGENE - Friday’s theme at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials was 1980’s Team Day, celebrating the athletes who qualified for the 1980 Olympics through the trials at Eugene year that year but who didn’t compete due to the U.S. boycott of the Moscow Games.

The athletes talked with media and fans after they were introduced on the Festival’s main stage. The team was later introduced during the meet’s opening ceremonies.

Steve Scott, who qualified in the 1,500, said he has fond memories of Hayward. Scott, who also qualified for the Olympics in 1984 and 1988, said the concept of the Festival is a positive step for the sport.

“The more you can get fans involved ... it’s a great idea,” Scott said. “Getting fans involved in track and field, exposing them to it. It’s wonderful.”

Willie Banks, who competed in the triple jump, said there’s something different about competing at Hayward.

“People are so excited and they’re knowledgeable,” he said. “That’s what you need in track, people who are knowledgeable about the athletes.”

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On the track, the meet got off to a fast start in the first event of the day, the heptathlon 100-meter hurdles.

Hyleas Fountain’s time of 12.65 seconds broke the Olympic Trials heptathlon record for the event. Jackie Joyner Kersee held the previous record of 12.69, set in 1988.