The talent and abilities of the world’s best athletes aren’t all that will be on display during the upcoming 2024 Olympic Trials. Sightline Commercial Solutions will also have a significant presence at two of the facilities that will be in the limelight later this month. Installations by the leading national provider of architectural railing and modular platforms will keep fans comfortable, safe and on top of the action at the U.S. Track & Field Trials hosted at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, and the U.S. Gymnastics Trials held at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
“It is truly an honor to have our work tied so closely to the Summer Olympics” said Brian Elliott, National Projects Director for Sightline Commercial Solutions. “We are proud to be a small part of these monumental events and hope spectators appreciate the unobstructed sightlines and breathtaking views made possible by our railing and staging systems.”
Hayward Field
Home to the University of Oregon’s track and field team for nearly a century, Hayward Field is considered to be among the sport’s most hallowed grounds in the U.S. The illustrious facility has hosted six Olympic Trials, offering athletes an unparalleled stage to push their limits, while also providing the ultimate fan experience.
Renovated in 2020 – in time to host the Tokyo Summer Olympic Trials – the world-class stadium features a nine-lane track, comfortable seating, robust in-stadium amenities and facilities for training and sports medicine. Doubled in capacity from 10,500 to 25,000 seats, the venue still offers an intimate setting with the first row just feet from the outside lane. Fans seated in the upper and lower bowls can cheer on their favorite athletes while enjoying clear views of the field and the breathtaking surrounding scenery, courtesy of Sightline’s custom engineered railing. More than 15,000 linear feet of aisle, glass, cable and drink rail are featured throughout the venue, complementing the open and airy design of the structure.
“We are extremely proud of the work we put into this project, and we are eager to see fans interact with our products as they watch competitors from around the country compete for a chance to represent the United States at the Summer Games in Paris,” noted Elliott.
Target Center
Located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, the Target Center also has a rich and storied history. Home to the Minnesota Timberwolves since opening in 1990, the facility is the second-oldest arena in the NBA after Madison Square Garden. The facility also hosts the four-time WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx. On June 27, the arena will welcome tens of thousands of gymnastics fans from across the country, along with more than 6,000 participants – including the G.O.A.T. Simone Biles – as Minneapolis turns into Gymnastics City USA for the four-day globally broadcast event.
“We are all pretty big sports fans at Sightline, so having this event in our backyard is especially exciting,” Elliott added. “We have worked on so many Target Center projects over the years, it’s become a home away from home for us.”
In 2017, the Sightline team was part of a major renovation that transformed the venue into a state-of-the-art, Olympic-caliber arena. The company’s contributions included the installation of upgraded railings throughout the venue designed to enhance guest safety, aesthetics and sustainability. The project called for a variety of specialty glass choices, including bent and tightly curved glass, and 1/2” laminated glass with a PVB interlayer. To optimize viewing and the overall fan experience, the team strategically used a colored interlayer to dim the light that comes through the large windows in specific areas of the arena.
To learn more, visit www.sightlinecommercial.com.