August 5, 2026 (Evening Session):

World Athletics U20 Championships at Hayward Field on August 5, 2026. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

Finn Merheim, 19, wears a mask to protect himself from smoke-filled air at Hayward Field. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield


Athletes compete in the women’s 5,000 meters. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield


Charity Cherop celebrates after winning the women’s 5,000-meter title.

Fans watch the evening session. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Family and friends celebrate Alessandro Borges’ shot put title. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 at Hayward Field, August 5, 2026. Credit: Brooke Taché

August 5, 2026 (Morning Session):

D’Angelo Brown (Grenada) following the 800 meters. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Róża Olchawa prepares for the 800 meters. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Róża Olchawa, representing Poland, takes off after the starting gun and places second in the 800 meters. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Family and friends cheer on Mary MacLean, who placed 5th in the women’s 800 meters. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Gillian Dunn, cheering on Mary Maclean, who placed 5th in the women’s 800 meters. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Mascot Legend the Bigfoot dances for athletes and fans. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
A limited number of fans attend the World Athletics U20 Championships due to unsafe air quality conditions. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Joshua Mungin catches his breath after competing in the men’s 800 meters. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Alejandro Ríos celebrates his performance in the men’s 800 meters after placing first despite running in smoke-filled air with an AQI (air quality index) reading of 176. Credit: Brooke Taché / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

Brooke Taché is a 2026 intern with the Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism.